[House Report 105-252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
105th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 105-252
_______________________________________________________________________
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES PROGRAMS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
_______
September 17, 1997.--Ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Skeen, from the committee of conference, submitted the following
CONFERENCE REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 2160]
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of
the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R.
2160) ``making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, and for
other purposes,'' having met, after full and free conference,
have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective
Houses as follows:
That the House recede from its disagreement to the
amendment of the Senate, and agree to the same with an
amendment, as follows:
In lieu of the matter stricken and inserted by said
amendment, insert:
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, and for
other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of
Agriculture, and not to exceed $75,000 for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109, $2,836,000: Provided, That not to exceed $11,000
of this amount, along with any unobligated balances of
representation funds in the Foreign Agricultural Service, shall
be available for official reception and representation
expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined by the
Secretary: Provided further, That none of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be
used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel of the
Department of Agriculture to carry out section 793(c)(1)(C) of
Public Law 104-127: Provided further, That none of the funds
made available by this Act may be used to enforce section
793(d) of Public Law 104-127.
Executive Operations
chief economist
For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including
economic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and
the functions of the World Agricultural Outlook Board, as
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1622g), and including employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), of which not to exceed $5,000 is for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109, $5,048,000.
national appeals division
For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division,
including employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not
to exceed $25,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109,
$11,718,000.
office of budget and program analysis
For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and
Program Analysis, including employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), of which not to exceed $5,000 is for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109, $5,986,000.
office of the chief information officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief
Information Officer, including employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 is for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $4,773,000.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief
Financial Officer, including employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 is for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109, $4,283,000: Provided, That the Chief Financial
Officer shall actively market cross-servicing activities of the
National Finance Center.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Administration to carry out the
programs funded in this Act, $613,000.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments
(including transfers of funds)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92-313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984
delegation of authority from the Administrator of General
Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 486,
for programs and activities of the Department which are
included in this Act, and for the operation, maintenance, and
repair of Agriculture buildings, $123,385,000: Provided, That
in the event an agency within the Department should require
modification of space needs, the Secretary of Agriculture may
transfer a share of that agency's appropriation made available
by this Act to this appropriation, or may transfer a share of
this appropriation to that agency's appropriation, but such
transfers shall not exceed 5 percent of the funds made
available for space rental and related costs to or from this
account. In addition, for construction, repair, improvement,
extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or
facilities as necessary to carry out the programs of the
Department, where not otherwise provided, $5,000,000, to remain
available until expended; and in addition, for necessary
relocation expenses of the Department's agencies, $2,700,000,
to remain available until expended; making a total
appropriation of $131,085,000.
Hazardous Waste Management
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture,
to comply with the requirement of section 107(g) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607(g), and section 6001 of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961,
$15,700,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That
appropriations and funds available herein to the Department for
Hazardous Waste Management may be transferred to any agency of
the Department for its use in meeting all requirements pursuant
to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands.
Departmental Administration
(including transfers of funds)
For Departmental Administration, $27,231,000, to provide
for necessary expenses for management support services to
offices of the Department and for general administration and
disaster management of the Department, repairs and alterations,
and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise
provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work
of the Department, including employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 is for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for
travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required
by 5 U.S.C. 551-558.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out
the programs funded in this Act, including programs involving
intergovernmental affairs and liaisonwithin the executive
branch, $3,668,000: Provided, That no other funds appropriated to the
Department by this Act shall be available to the Department for support
of activities of congressional relations: Provided further, That not
less than $2,241,000 shall be transferred to agencies funded in this
Act to maintain personnel at the agency level.
Office of Communications
For necessary expenses to carry on services relating to
the coordination of programs involving public affairs, for the
dissemination of agricultural information, and the coordination
of information, work, and programs authorized by Congress in
the Department, $8,138,000, including employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 shall be
available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, and not to exceed
$2,000,000 may be used for farmers' bulletins.
Office of the Inspector General
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector
General, including employment pursuant to the second sentence
of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225),
and the Inspector General Act of 1978, $63,128,000, including
such sums as may be necessary for contracting and other
arrangements with public agencies and private persons pursuant
to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978,
including a sum not to exceed $50,000 for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109; and including a sum not to exceed $95,000 for
certain confidential operational expenses including the payment
of informants, to be expended under the direction of the
Inspector General pursuant to Public Law 95-452 and section
1337 of Public Law 97-98: Provided, That funds transferred to
the Office of the Inspector General through forfeiture
proceedings or from the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture
Fund or the Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, as a
participating agency, as an equitable share from the forfeiture
of property in investigations in which the Office of the
Inspector General participates, or through the granting of a
Petition for Remission or Mitigation, shall be deposited to the
credit of this account for law enforcement activities
authorized under the Inspector General Act of 1978, to remain
available until expended.
Office of the General Counsel
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General
Counsel, $28,524,000.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Economic
Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service,
the Agricultural Research Service, and the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, $540,000.
Economic Research Service
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service
in conducting economic research and analysis, as authorized by
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) and
other laws, $71,604,000: Provided, That this appropriation
shall be available for employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225).
National Agricultural Statistics Service
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service in conducting statistical reporting and
service work, including crop and livestock estimates,
statistical coordination and improvements, marketing surveys,
and the Census of Agriculture, as authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) and
other laws, $118,048,000, of which up to $36,327,000 shall be
available until expended for the Census of Agriculture:
Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of
the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$40,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109:
Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the 1997 Census
of Agriculture, to the extent practicable, pursuant to the
provisions of title 13, United States Code.
Agricultural Research Service
For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural
Research Service to perform agricultural research and
demonstration relating to production, utilization, marketing,
and distribution (not otherwise provided for); home economics
or nutrition and consumer use including the acquisition,
preservation, and dissemination of agricultural information;
and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or purchase
at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, $744,605,000: Provided,
That appropriations hereunder shall be available for temporary
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of
the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$115,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109:
Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall
beavailable for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the
purchase of not to exceed one for replacement only: Provided further,
That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C.
2250 for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings and
improvements, but unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing
any one building shall not exceed $250,000, except for headhouses or
greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,000,000, and except for
ten buildings to be constructed or improved at a cost not to exceed
$500,000 each, and the cost of altering any one building during the
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement
value of the building or $250,000, whichever is greater: Provided
further, That the limitations on alterations contained in this Act
shall not apply to modernization or replacement of existing facilities
at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That the foregoing
limitations shall not apply to replacement of buildings needed to carry
out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That
funds may be received from any State, other political subdivision,
organization, or individual for the purpose of establishing or
operating any research facility or research project of the Agricultural
Research Service, as authorized by law: Provided further, That the item
under the heading ``Agricultural Research Service'' in title I of the
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104-37; 109 Stat.
304), is amended by striking the penultimate proviso, relating to
conveyance of the Pecan Genetics and Improvement Research Laboratory.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be
available to carry out research related to the production,
processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.
buildings and facilities
For acquisition of land, construction, repair,
improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed
equipment or facilities as necessary to carry out the
agricultural research programs of the Department of
Agriculture, where not otherwise provided, $80,630,000, to
remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided,
That funds may be received from any State, other political
subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of
establishing any research facility of the Agricultural Research
Service, as authorized by law.
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
research and education activities
For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for
cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and
for other expenses, including $168,734,000 to carry into effect
the provisions of the Hatch Act (7 U.S.C. 361a-i); $20,497,000
for grants for cooperative forestry research (16 U.S.C. 582a-
a7); $27,735,000 for payments to the 1890 land-grant colleges,
including Tuskegee University (7 U.S.C. 3222); $51,495,000 for
special grants for agricultural research (7 U.S.C. 450i(c));
$15,048,000 for special grants for agricultural research on
improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)); $97,200,000 for
competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)); $4,775,000 for
the support of animal health and disease programs (7 U.S.C.
3195); $650,000 for supplemental and alternative crops and
products (7 U.S.C. 3319d); $550,000 for grants for research
pursuant to the Critical Agricultural Materials Act of 1984 (7
U.S.C. 178) and section 1472 of the Food and Agriculture Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318), to remain available until expended;
$3,000,000 for higher education graduate fellowships grants (7
U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)), to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b); $4,350,000 for higher education challenge grants
(7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)); $1,000,000 for a higher education
minority scholars program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); $2,500,000 for an
education grants program for Hispanic-serving Institutions (7
U.S.C. 3241); $4,000,000 for aquaculture grants (7 U.S.C.
3322); $8,000,000 for sustainable agriculture research and
education (7 U.S.C. 5811); $9,200,000 for a program of capacity
building grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to colleges eligible to
receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321-
326 and 328), including Tuskegee University, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); $1,450,000 for
payments to the 1994 Institutions pursuant to section 534(a)(1)
of Public Law 103-382; and $11,226,000 for necessary expenses
of Research and Education Activities, of which not to exceed
$100,000 shall be for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; in all,
$431,410,000.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be
available to carry out research related to the production,
processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund
For establishment of a Native American institutions
endowment fund, as authorized by Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C.
301 note), $4,600,000.
Extension Activities
Payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and
American Samoa: For payments for cooperative extension work
under the Smith-Lever Act, to be distributed under sections
3(b) and 3(c) of said Act, and under section 208(c) of Public
Law 93-471, for retirement and employees' compensation costs
for extension agents and for costs of penalty mail for
cooperative extension agents and State extension directors,
$268,493,000; payments for extension work at the 1994
Institutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)),
$2,000,000; payments for the nutrition and family education
program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act,
$58,695,000; payments for the pest management program under
section 3(d) of the Act, $10,783,000; payments for the farm
safety program under section 3(d) of the Act, $2,855,000;
payments for the pesticide impact assessment program under
section 3(d) of the Act, $3,214,000; payments to upgrade 1890
land-grant college research, extension, and teaching facilities
as authorized by section 1447 of Public Law 95-113 (7 U.S.C.
3222b), $7,549,000, to remain available until expended;
payments for the rural development centers under section 3(d)
of the Act, $908,000; payments for a groundwater quality
program under section 3(d) of the Act, $9,061,000; payments for
the agricultural telecommunications program, as authorized by
Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5926), $900,000; payments for
youth-at-risk programs under section 3(d) of the Act,
$9,554,000; payments for a food safety program under section
3(d) of the Act, $2,365,000; payments for carrying out the
provisions of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978,
$3,192,000; payments for Indian reservation agents under
section 3(d) of the Act, $1,672,000; payments for sustainable
agriculture programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $3,309,000;
payments for rural health and safety education as authorized by
section 2390 of Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 2661 note, 2662),
$2,628,000; payments for cooperative extension work by the
colleges receiving the benefits of the second Morrill Act (7
U.S.C. 321-326 and 328) and Tuskegee University, $25,090,000;
and for Federal administration and coordination including
administration of the Smith-Lever Act, and the Act of September
29, 1977 (7 U.S.C. 341-349), and section 1361(c) of the Act of
October 3, 1980 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), and to coordinate and
provide program leadership for the extension work of the
Department and the several States and insular possessions,
$11,108,000; in all, $423,376,000: Provided, That funds hereby
appropriated pursuant to section 3(c) of the Act of June 26,
1953, and section 506 of the Act of June 23, 1972, shall not be
paid to any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam,
or the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and
American Samoa prior to availability of an equal sum from non-
Federal sources for expenditure during the current fiscal year.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to
administer programs under the laws enacted by the Congress for
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the
Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Administration, $618,000.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
salaries and expenses
(including transfers of funds)
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, including those
pursuant to the Act of February 28, 1947 (21 U.S.C. 114b-c),
necessary to prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant
and animal diseases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and
regulatory activities; to discharge the authorities of the
Secretary of Agriculture under the Act of March 2, 1931 (46
Stat. 1468; 7 U.S.C. 426-426b); and to protect the environment,
as authorized by law, $426,282,000, of which $4,500,000 shall
be available for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant
diseases, animal diseases and for control of pest animals and
birds to the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions:
Provided, That no funds shall be used to formulate or
administer a brucellosis eradication program for the current
fiscal year that does not require minimum matching by the
States of at least 40 percent: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available for field employment pursuant
to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be
available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further,
That this appropriation shall be available for the operation
and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed
four, of which two shall be for replacement only: Provided
further, That, in addition, in emergencies which threaten any
segment of the agricultural production industry of this
country, the Secretary may transfer from other appropriations
or funds available to the agencies or corporations of the
Department such sums as he may deem necessary, to be available
only in such emergencies for the arrest and eradication of
contagious or infectious disease or pests of animals, poultry,
or plants, and for expenses in accordance with the Act of
February 28, 1947, and section 102 of the Act of September 21,
1944, and any unexpended balances of funds transferred for such
emergency purposes in the next preceding fiscal year shall be
merged with such transferred amounts: Provided further, That
appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to law (7
U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and alteration of leased buildings
and improvements, but unless otherwise provided the cost of
altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not
exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the
building.
In fiscal year 1998 the agency is authorized to collect
fees to cover the total costs of providing technical
assistance, goods, or services requested by States, other
political subdivisions, domestic and international
organizations, foreign governments, or individuals, provided
that such fees are structured such that any entity's liability
for such fees is reasonably based on the technical assistance,
goods, or services provided to the entity by the agency, and
such fees shall be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended, without further appropriation, for
providing such assistance, goods, or services.
Of the total amount available under this heading in fiscal
year 1998, $88,000,000 shall be derived from userfees deposited
in the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection User Fee Account.
buildings and facilities
For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance,
environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, and
purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
428a, $4,200,000, to remain available until expended.
Agricultural Marketing Service
marketing services
For necessary expenses to carry on services related to
consumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribution,
transportation, and regulatory programs, as authorized by law,
and for administration and coordination of payments to States;
including field employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and
not to exceed $90,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109,
$46,592,000, including funds for the wholesale market
development program for the design and development of wholesale
and farmer market facilities for the major metropolitan areas
of the country: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration
and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of
altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not
exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the
building.
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization
activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31
U.S.C. 9701).
limitation on administrative expenses
Not to exceed $59,521,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative
expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/or
other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed this
limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the
Appropriations Committees.
funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (section 32)
(including transfers of funds)
Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24,
1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c) shall be used only for commodity program
expenses as authorized therein, and other related operating
expenses, except for: (1) transfers to the Department of
Commerce as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of August
8, 1956; (2) transfers otherwise provided in this Act; and (3)
not more than $10,690,000 for formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders pursuant to the Agricultural
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, and the Agricultural Act of
1961.
payments to states and possessions
For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and
departments of markets, and similar agencies for marketing
activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,200,000.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
United States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of
the Packers and Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures used
to protect purchasers of farm products, and the standardization
activities related to grain under the Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946, including field employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $25,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C.
3109, $23,928,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration
and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of
altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not
exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the
building.
inspection and weighing services
limitation on inspection and weighing service expenses
Not to exceed $43,092,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and
weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities
require additional supervision and oversight, or other
uncontrollable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded
by up to 10 percent with notification to the Appropriations
Committees.
office of the under secretary for food safety
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws enacted
by the Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection Service,
$446,000.
food safety and inspection service
For necessary expenses to carry on services authorized by
the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products
Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act,
$589,263,000, of which $5,000,000 shall be available for
obligation only after promulgation of a final rule to implement
the provisions of subsection (e) of section 5 of the Egg
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034(e)), and in addition,
$1,000,000 may be credited to this account from fees collected
for the cost of laboratory accreditation as authorized by
section 1017 of Public Law 102-237: Provided, That this
appropriation shall not be available for shell egg surveillance
under section 5(d) of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 1034(d)): Provided further, That this appropriation
shall be available for field employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $75,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C.
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during
the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current
replacement value of the building.
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to
administer the laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service
Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Risk Management
Agency, and the Commodity Credit Corporation, $572,000.
Farm Service Agency
salaries and expenses
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the
administration and implementation of programs administered by
the Farm Service Agency, $700,659,000: Provided, That the
Secretary is authorized to use the services, facilities, and
authorities (but not the funds) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to make program payments for all programs
administered by the Agency: Provided further, That other funds
made available to the Agency for authorized activities may be
advanced to and merged with this account: Provided further,
That these funds shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $1,000,000 shall be
available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
state mediation grants
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural
Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106), $2,000,000.
dairy indemnity program
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity
payments to dairy farmers for milk or cows producing such milk
and manufacturers of dairy products who havebeen directed to
remove their milk or dairy products from commercial markets because it
contained residues of chemicals registered and approved for use by the
Federal Government, and in making indemnity payments for milk, or cows
producing such milk, at a fair market value to any dairy farmer who is
directed to remove his milk from commercial markets because of (1) the
presence of products of nuclear radiation or fallout if such
contamination is not due to the fault of the farmer, or (2) residues of
chemicals or toxic substances not included under the first sentence of
the Act of August 13, 1968 (7 U.S.C. 450j), if such chemicals or toxic
substances were not used in a manner contrary to applicable regulations
or labeling instructions provided at the time of use and the
contamination is not due to the fault of the farmer, $550,000, to
remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That none
of the funds contained in this Act shall be used to make indemnity
payments to any farmer whose milk was removed from commercial markets
as a result of his willful failure to follow procedures prescribed by
the Federal Government: Provided further, That this amount shall be
transferred to the Commodity Credit Corporation: Provided further, That
the Secretary is authorized to utilize the services, facilities, and
authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation for the purpose of
making dairy indemnity disbursements.
agricultural credit insurance fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct
and guaranteed loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1928-1929, to be
available from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund,
as follows: farm ownership loans, $460,000,000 of which
$400,000,000 shall be for guaranteed loans; operating loans,
$2,395,000,000 of which $1,700,000,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $200,000,000 shall be for
subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land acquisition
loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $1,000,000; for emergency
insured loans, $25,000,000 to meet the needs resulting from
natural disasters; for boll weevil eradication program loans as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $34,653,000; and for credit sales
of acquired property, $25,000,000.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including
the cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: farm ownership
loans, $21,380,000 of which $15,440,000 shall be for guaranteed
loans; operating loans, $71,394,000 of which $19,890,000 shall
be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $19,280,000 shall be
for subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land acquisition
loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $132,000; for emergency
insured loans, $6,008,000 to meet the needs resulting from
natural disasters; for boll weevil eradication program loans as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $250,000; and for credit sales of
acquired property, $3,255,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $219,861,000
of which $209,861,000 shall be transferred to and merged with
the ``Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses'' account.
Risk Management Agency
For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized
by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(7 U.S.C. 6933), $64,000,000: Provided, That not to exceed $700
shall be available for official reception and representation
expenses, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1506(i). In addition,
notwithstanding the provisions of section 516(a)(1)(B) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516(a)(1)(B)), for
discretionary expenses, $188,571,000 for the payment of
administrative and operating expenses of approved insurance
providers.
CORPORATIONS
The following corporations and agencies are hereby
authorized to make expenditures, within the limits offunds and
borrowing authority available to each such corporation or agency and in
accord with law, and to make contracts and commitments without regard
to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government
Corporation Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the
programs set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such
corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.
federal crop insurance corporation fund
For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act, such sums as may be necessary, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund
reimbursement for net realized losses
For fiscal year 1998, such sums as may be necessary to
reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized
losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed (estimated to
be $783,507,000 in the President's fiscal year 1998 Budget
Request (H. Doc. 105-3)), but not to exceed $783,507,000,
pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15 U.S.C.
713a-11).
operations and maintenance for hazardous waste management
For fiscal year 1998, the Commodity Credit Corporation
shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for expenses to comply
with the requirement of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42
U.S.C. 9607(g), and section 6001 of the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961: Provided, That expenses shall
be for operations and maintenance costs only and that other
hazardous waste management costs shall be paid for by the USDA
Hazardous Waste Management appropriation in this Act.
TITLE II
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Forest
Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
$693,000.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
conservation operations
For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of
the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f) including
preparation of conservation plans and establishment of measures
to conserve soil and water (including farm irrigation and land
drainage and such special measures for soil and water
management as may be necessary to prevent floods and the
siltation of reservoirs and to control agricultural related
pollutants); operation of conservation plant materials centers;
classification and mapping of soil; dissemination of
information; acquisition of lands, water, and interests therein
for use in the plant materials program by donation, exchange,
or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100 pursuant to
the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 428a); purchase and
erection or alteration or improvement of permanent and
temporary buildings; and operation and maintenance of aircraft,
$633,231,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b), of which not less than $5,835,000 is for snow survey
and water forecasting and not less than $8,825,000 is for
operation and establishment of the plant materials centers:
Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available
pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improvement of
buildings and public improvements at plant materials centers,
except that the cost of alterations and improvements to other
buildings and other public improvements shall not exceed
$250,000: Provided further, That when buildings or other
structures are erected on non-Federal land, that the right to
use such land is obtained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available
for technical assistance and related expenses to carry out
programs authorized by section 202(c) of title II of the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (43 U.S.C.
1592(c)): Provided further, That no part of this appropriation
may be expended for soil and water conservation operations
under the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f) in
demonstration projects: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225) and not to exceed $25,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That
qualified local engineers may be temporarily employed at per
diem rates to perform the technical planning work of the
Service (16 U.S.C. 590e-2): Provided further, That the
Secretary is authorized to transfer ownership of land,
buildings and related improvements of the plant materials
facilities located at Bow, Washington, to the Skagit
Conservation District.
watershed surveys and planning
For necessary expenses to conduct research,
investigation, and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other
waterways, and for small watershed investigations and planning,
in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001-1009),
$11,190,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available for employment pursuant to the secondsentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $110,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
watershed and flood prevention operations
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures,
including but not limited to research, engineering operations,
methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation,
rehabilitation of existing works and changes in use of land, in
accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001-1005, 1007-1009),
the provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f),
and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to the
activities of the Department, $101,036,000, to remain available
until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b) (of which up to $15,000,000 may
be available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood
Control Act approved June 22, 1936 (33 U.S.C. 701, 16 U.S.C.
1006a): Provided, That not to exceed $50,000,000 of this
appropriation shall be available for technical assistance:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available
for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $200,000 shall be available for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That not to exceed $1,000,000 of
this appropriation is available to carry out the purposes of
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-205),
including cooperative efforts as contemplated by that Act to
relocate endangered or threatened species to other suitable
habitats as may be necessary to expedite project construction.
resource conservation and development
For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out
projects for resource conservation and development and for
sound land use pursuant to the provisions of section 32(e) of
title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-
1011; 76 Stat. 607), the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-
f), and the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451-
3461), $34,377,000, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and
not to exceed $50,000 shall be available for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109.
forestry incentives program
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to
carry out the program of forestry incentives, as authorized in
the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C.
2101), including technical assistance and related expenses,
$6,325,000, to remain available until expended, as authorized
by that Act.
outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 2279), $3,000,000, to remain available until expended.
TITLE III RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs
under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing
Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural
Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture, $588,000.
rural community advancement program
(including transfers of funds)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and
grants, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, and 1932,
except for sections 381 E-H, 381N, and 381O of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009f), $652,197,000,
to remain available until expended, of which $27,062,000 shall
be for rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1)
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; of which
$577,242,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs
described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act; and of which
$47,893,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative
development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such
Act: Provided, That section 381E(d)(3)(B) of such Act is
amended by inserting after the phrase, ``business and
industry'', the words, ``direct and'': Provided further, That
of the amount appropriated for the rural business and
cooperative development programs, not to exceed $500,000 shall
be made available for a grant to a qualified national
organization to provide technical assistance for rural
transportation in order to promote economic development:
Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for rural
utilities programs, not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for
water and waste disposal systems to benefit the Colonias along
the United States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant to
section 306C of such Act; not to exceed $15,000,000 shall be
for water and waste disposal systems for rural and native
villages in Alaska pursuant to section 306D of such Act; not to
exceed $15,000,000 shall be for technical assistance grants for
rural waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such Act;
and not to exceed $5,200,000 shall be for contracting with
qualified national organizations for a circuit rider program to
provide technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided
further, That of the total amounts appropriated, not to exceed
$20,048,000 shall be available through June 30, 1998, for
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by
Public Law 103-66, of which $1,200,000 shall be for rural
community programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act;
of which $18,700,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs
described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act; of which $148,000
shall be for the rural business and cooperative development
programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act: Provided
further, That any obligated and unobligated balances available
for prior years for the ``Rural Water and Waste Disposal
Grants,'' ``Rural Water and Waste Disposal Loans Program
Account,'' ``Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants,''
``Solid Waste Management Grants,'' the community facility grant
program in the ``Rural Housing Assistance Program'' Account,
``Community Facility Loans Program Account,'' ``Rural Business
Enterprise Grants,'' ``Rural Business and Industry Loans
Program Account,'' and ``Local Technical Assistance and
Planning Grants'' shall be transferred to and merged with this
account.
Rural Housing Service
rural housing insurance fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct
and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing
Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing
insurance fund, as follows: $4,000,000,000 for loans to section
502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary, of which
$3,000,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans;
$30,000,000 for section 504 housing repair loans; $19,700,000
for section 538 guaranteed multi-family housing loans;
$15,000,000 for section 514 farm labor housing; $128,640,000
for section 515 rental housing; $600,000 for section 524 site
loans; $25,000,000 for credit sales of acquired property; and
$587,000 for section 523 self-help housing land development
loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including
the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502
loans, $135,000,000, of which $6,900,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair
loans, $10,300,000; section 538 multi-family housing guaranteed
loans, $1,200,000; section 514 farm labor housing, $7,388,000;
section 515 rental housing, $68,745,000; credit sales of
acquired property, $3,492,000; and section 523 self-help
housing land development loans, $17,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$354,785,000, which shall be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ``Rural Housing Service, Salaries and
Expenses''.
rental assistance program
For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed
pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or agreements
entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or payments for
eligible households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of
the Housing Act of 1949, $541,397,000; and in addition such
sums as may be necessary, as authorized by section 521(c) of
the Act, to liquidate debt incurred prior to fiscal year 1992
to carry out the rental assistance program under section
521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That of this amount not more
than $5,900,000 shall be available for debt forgiveness or
payments for eligible households as authorized by section
502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to exceed $10,000 per project
for advances to nonprofit organizations or public agencies to
cover direct costs (other than purchase price) incurred in
purchasing projects pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the
Act: Provided further, That agreements entered into or renewed
during fiscal year 1998 shall be funded for a five-year period,
although the life of any such agreement may be extended to
fully utilize amounts obligated.
mutual and self-help housing grants
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A)
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $26,000,000, to
remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
rural community fire protection grants
For grants pursuant to section 7 of the Cooperative
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-313), $2,000,000
to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of organizing, training,
and equipping rural volunteer fire departments.
rural housing assistance grants
(including transfer of funds)
For grants and contracts for housing for domestic farm
labor, very low-income housing repair, supervisory and
technical assistance, compensation for construction defects,
and rural housing preservation made by the Rural Housing
Service as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1486, 1490c,
1490e, and 1490m, $45,720,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That any obligated and unobligated balances
available from prior years in ``Rural Housing for Domestic Farm
Labor,'' ``Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants,''
``Very Low-Income Housing Repair Grants,'' ``Compensation for
Construction Defects,'' and ``Rural Housing Preservation
Grants'' shall be transferred to and merged with this account:
Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated,
$1,200,000 shall be for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103-66: Provided
further, That if such funds are not obligated for empowerment
zones and enterprise communities by June 30, 1998, they shall
remain available for other authorized purposes under this head.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Housing Service,
including administering the programs authorized by the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, title V of the
Housing Act of 1949, and cooperative agreements, $58,804,000:
Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of
the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$520,000 may be used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
rural development loan fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For the cost of direct loans, $16,888,000, as authorized
by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)):
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such
loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are
available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal
amount of direct loans of $35,000,000: Provided further, That
through June 30, 1998, of the total amount appropriated,
$3,345,000 shall be available for the cost of direct loans for
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by
title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, to
subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of direct
loans, $7,246,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the
direct loan programs, $3,482,000 shall be transferred to and
merged with the appropriation for ``Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, Salaries and Expenses''.
rural economic development loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized
under section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the
purpose of promoting rural economic development and job
creation projects, $25,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of
modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, $5,978,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of
credit payments in fiscal year 1998, as authorized by section
313 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $5,978,000 shall
not be obligated and $5,978,000 are rescinded.
alternative agricultural research and commercialization revolving fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative
Agricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 5901-5908), $7,000,000 are appropriated to the
alternative agricultural research and commercialization
corporation revolving fund.
rural cooperative development grants
For rural cooperative development grants authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $3,000,000, of which up to $1,300,000 may
be available for cooperative agreements for the appropriate
technology transfer for rural areas program.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, including administering the programs authorized by the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; section 1323 of
the Food Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act of
1926; for activities relating to the marketing aspects of
cooperatives, including economic research findings, as
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for
activities with institutions concerning the development and
operation of agricultural cooperatives; and for cooperative
agreements; $25,680,000: Provided, That this appropriation
shall be available for employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $260,000 may be used for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
Rural Utilities Service
rural electrification and telecommunications loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), shall be
made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans,
$125,000,000; 5 percent rural telecommunications loans,
$75,000,000; cost of money rural telecommunications loans,
$300,000,000; municipal rate rural electric loans,
$500,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section 306 of that
Act, rural electric, $300,000,000 and rural telecommunications,
$120,000,000, to remain available until expended.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of
modifying loans, of direct and guaranteed loans authorized by
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936),
as follows: cost of direct loans, $12,265,000; cost of
municipal rate loans, $21,100,000; cost of money rural
telecommunications loans, $60,000; cost of loans guaranteed
pursuant to section 306, $2,760,000: Provided, That
notwithstanding section 305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, borrower interest rates may exceed 7 percent per
year.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $29,982,000,
which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ``Rural Utilities Service, Salaries and Expenses''.
rural telephone bank program account
(including transfers of funds)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make
such expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such
corporation in accord with law, and to make such contracts and
commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as
provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control
Act, as may be necessary in carrying out its authorized
programs for the current fiscal year. During fiscal year 1998
and within the resources and authority available, gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$175,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of
modifying loans, of direct loans authorized by the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), $3,710,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the loan programs, $3,000,000, which shall be
transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ``Rural
Utilities Service, Salaries and Expenses''.
distance learning and medical link program
For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by
7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $12,530,000, to remain available until
expended, to be available for loans and grants for telemedicine
and distance learning services in rural areas: Provided, That
the costs of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Utilities Service,
including administering the programs authorized by the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, and the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act, and for cooperative agreements,
$33,000,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and
not to exceed $105,000 may be used for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to
administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and
Consumer Service, $554,000.
child nutrition programs
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except
sections 17 and 21; $7,767,816,000, to remain available through
September 30, 1999, of which $2,616,425,000 is hereby
appropriated and $5,151,391,000 shall be derived by transfer
from funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24,
1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Provided, That none of the funds made
available under this heading shall be used for studies and
evaluations: Provided further, That up to $4,124,000 shall be
available for independent verification of school food service
claims.
special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
(wic)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special
supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786),
$3,924,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 1999:
Provided, That none of the funds made available under this
heading shall be used for studies and evaluations: Provided
further, That up to $12,000,000 may be used to carry out the
farmers' market nutrition program from any funds not needed to
maintain current caseload levels: Provided further, That
notwithstanding sections 17 (g), (h), and (i) of such Act, the
Secretary shall adjust fiscal year 1998 State allocations to
reflect food funds available to the State from fiscal year 1997
under sections 17(i)(3)(A)(ii) and 17(i)(3)(D): Provided
further, That theSecretary shall allocate funds recovered from
fiscal year 1997 first to States to maintain stability funding levels,
as defined by regulations promulgated under section 17(g), and then to
give first priority for the allocation of any remaining funds to States
whose funding is less than their fair share of funds, as defined by
regulations promulgated under section 17(g): Provided further, That
none of the funds in this Act shall be available to pay administrative
expenses of WIC clinics except those that have an announced policy of
prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the program:
Provided further, That none of the funds provided in this account shall
be available for the purchase of infant formula except in accordance
with the cost containment and competitive bidding requirements
specified in section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966: Provided
further, That State agencies required to procure infant formula using a
competitive bidding system may use funds appropriated by this Act to
purchase infant formula under a cost containment contract entered into
after September 30, 1996, only if the contract was awarded to the
bidder offering the lowest net price, as defined by section 17(b)(20)
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, unless the State agency
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the weighted
average retail price for different brands of infant formula in the
State does not vary by more than five percent.
food stamp program
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $25,140,479,000, of which $100,000,000
shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at
such times as may become necessary to carry out program
operations: Provided, That funds provided herein shall be
expended in accordance with section 16 of the Food Stamp Act:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be subject to
any work registration or workfare requirements as may be
required by law.
commodity assistance program
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity
supplemental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of the
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c
note) and for administrative expenses pursuant to section 204
of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, $141,000,000, to
remain available through September 30, 1999: Provided, That
none of these funds shall be available to reimburse the
Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities donated to the
program.
food donations programs for selected groups
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c
note), and section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3030a), $141,165,000, to remain available through
September 30, 1999.
food program administration
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic
food programs funded under this Act, $107,619,000, of which
$5,000,000 shall be available only for simplifying procedures,
reducing overhead costs, tightening regulations, improving food
stamp coupon handling, and assistance in the prevention,
identification, and prosecution of fraud and other violations
of law: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available
for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $150,000 shall be available for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
foreign agricultural service and general sales manager
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural
Service, including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural
Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1761-1768), market development activities
abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and
integrate activities of the Department in connection with
foreign agricultural work, including not to exceed $128,000 for
representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to section
8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766),
$135,561,000, of which $3,231,000 may be transferred from the
Export Loan Program account in this Act, and $1,035,000 may be
transferred from the Public Law 480 program account in this
Act: Provided, That the Service may utilize advances of funds,
or reimburse this appropriation for expenditures made on behalf
of Federal agencies, public and private organizations and
institutions under agreements executed pursuant to the
agricultural food production assistance programs (7 U.S.C.
1736) and the foreign assistance programs of the International
Development Cooperation Administration (22 U.S.C. 2392).
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be
available to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco
products.
public law 480 program and grant accounts
(including transfers of funds)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not
otherwise recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs,
including interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade
Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701-
1715, 1721-1726, 1727-1727f, and 1731-1736g), as follows: (1)
$226,900,000 for Public Law 480 title I credit, including Food
for Progress programs; (2) $17,608,000 is hereby appropriated
for ocean freight differential costs for the shipment of
agricultural commodities pursuant to title I of said Act and
the Food for Progress Act of 1985; (3) $837,000,000 is hereby
appropriated for commodities supplied in connection with
dispositions abroad pursuant to title II of said Act; and (4)
$30,000,000 is hereby appropriated for commodities supplied in
connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to title III of
said Act: Provided, That not to exceed 15 percent of the funds
made available to carry out any title of said Act may be used
to carry out any other title of said Act: Provided further,
That such sums shall remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b).
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements
as authorized by the Agricultural Trade Development and
Assistance Act of 1954, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985,
including the cost of modifying credit agreements under said
Act, $176,596,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the
Public Law 480 title I credit program, and the Food for
Progress Act of 1985, to the extent funds appropriated for
Public Law 480 are utilized, $1,850,000.
commodity credit corporation export loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity
Credit Corporation's export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM
103, $3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted
by section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act
and in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990,
of which not to exceed $3,231,000 may be transferred to and
merged with the appropriation for the salaries and expenses of
the Foreign Agricultural Service, and of which not to exceed
$589,000 may be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the Farm Service
Agency.
export credit
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not
less than $5,500,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export
credit guarantee program extended to finance the export sales
of United States agricultural commodities and the products
thereof, as authorized by section 202(a) and (b) of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5641).
emerging markets export credit
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not
less than $200,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export
guarantee program for credit expended to finance the export
sales of United States agricultural commodities and the
products thereof to emerging markets, as authorized by section
1542 of Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note).
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug
Administration, including hire and purchase of passenger motor
vehicles; for rental of special purpose space in the District
of Columbia or elsewhere; and for miscellaneous and emergency
expenses of enforcement activities, authorized and approved by
the Secretary and to be accounted for solely on the Secretary's
certificate, not to exceed $25,000; $948,705,000, of which not
to exceed $91,204,000 in fees pursuant to section 736 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this
appropriation and remain available until expended: Provided,
That fees derived from applications received during fiscal year
1998 shall be subject to the fiscal year 1998 limitation:
Provided further, That none of these funds shall be used to
develop, establish, or operate any program of user fees
authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 354 of the Public
Health Service Act may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 801 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this account,
to remain available until expended.
buildings and facilities
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension,
alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or
used by the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise
provided, $21,350,000, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b).
rental payments (fda)
(including transfers of funds)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92-313 for programs and activities of the Food and
Drug Administration which are included in this Act,
$46,294,000: Provided, That in the event the Food and Drug
Administration should require modification of space needs, a
share of the salaries and expenses appropriation may be
transferred to this appropriation, or a share of this
appropriation may be transferred to the salaries and expenses
appropriation, but such transfers shall not exceed 5 percent of
the funds made available for rental payments (FDA) to or from
this account.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Financial Management Service
payments to the farm credit system financial assistance corporation
For necessary payments to the Farm Credit System
Financial Assistance Corporation by the Secretary of the
Treasury, as authorized by section 6.28(c) of the Farm Credit
Act of 1971, for reimbursement of interest expenses incurred by
the Financial Assistance Corporation on obligations issued
through 1994, as authorized, $7,728,000.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the
purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; the rental of
space (to include multiple year leases) in the District of
Columbia and elsewhere; and not to exceed $25,000 for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; $58,101,000, including not to
exceed $1,000 for official reception and representation
expenses: Provided, That the Commission is authorized to charge
reasonable fees to attendees of Commission sponsored
educational events and symposia to cover the Commission's costs
of providing those events and symposia, and notwithstanding 31
U.S.C. 3302, said fees shall be credited to this account, to be
available without further appropriation.
Farm Credit Administration
limitation on administrative expenses
Not to exceed $34,423,000 (from assessments collected
from farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural
Mortgage Corporation) shall be obligated during the current
fiscal year for administrative expenses as authorized under 12
U.S.C. 2249: Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to
expenses associated with receiverships.
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law,
appropriations and authorizations made for the Department of
Agriculture for the fiscal year 1998 under this Act shall be
available for the purchase, in addition to those specifically
provided for, of not to exceed 394 passenger motor vehicles, of
which 391 shall be for replacement only, and for the hire of
such vehicles.
Sec. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department
of Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances
therefor as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-5902).
Sec. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations
of the Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and
service work authorized by the Acts of August 14, 1946, and
July 28, 1954 (7 U.S.C. 427, 1621-1629), and by chapter 63 of
title 31, United States Code, shall be available for
contracting in accordance with said Acts and chapter.
Sec. 704. The cumulative total of transfers to the
Working Capital Fund for the purpose of accumulating growth
capital for data services and National Finance Center
operations shall not exceed $2,000,000: Provided, That no funds
in this Act appropriated to an agency of the Department shall
be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without the approval
of the agency administrator.
Sec. 705. New obligational authority provided for the
following appropriation items in this Act shall remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, the contingency fund to meet
emergency conditions, fruit fly program, and integrated systems
acquisition project; Farm Service Agency, salaries and expenses
funds made available to county committees; and Foreign
Agricultural Service, middle-income country training program.
New obligational authority for the boll weevil program;
up to 10 percent of the screwworm program of the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service; Food Safety and Inspection
Service, field automation and information management project;
funds appropriated for rental payments; funds for the Native
American Institutions Endowment Fund in the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service; and funds for the
competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), shall remain
available until expended.
Sec. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations
available to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be
available to provide appropriate orientation and language
training pursuant to Public Law 94-449.
Sec. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department of
Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent
of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of
such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of
mutual interest between the two parties. This does not preclude
appropriate payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts
with such institutions when such indirect costs are computed on
a similar basis for all agencies for which appropriations are
provided in this Act.
Sec. 709. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, commodities acquired by the Department in connection with
Commodity Credit Corporation and section 32 price support
operations may be used, as authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 714c
and 7 U.S.C. 612c), to provide commodities to individuals in
cases of hardship as determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture.
Sec. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be
available to reimburse the General Services Administration for
payment of space rental and related costs in excess of the
amounts specified in this Act; nor shall this or any other
provision of law require a reduction in the level of rental
space or services below that of fiscal year 1997 or prohibit an
expansion of rental space or services with the use of funds
otherwise appropriated in this Act. Further, no agency of the
Department of Agriculture, from funds otherwise available,
shall reimburse the General Services Administration for payment
of space rental and related costs provided to such agency at a
percentage rate which is greater than is available in the case
of funds appropriated in this Act.
Sec. 711. None of the funds in this Act shall be
available to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to lease space for its own use or to lease space on
behalf of other agencies of the Department of Agriculture when
such space will be jointly occupied.
Sec. 712. With the exception of grants awarded under the
Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, Public Law
97-219 (15 U.S.C. 638), none of the funds in this Act shall be
available to pay indirect costs on research grants awarded
competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service that exceed 14 percent of total Federal funds
provided under each award.
Sec. 713. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Act, all loan levels provided of this Act shall be considered
estimates, not limitations.
Sec. 714. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture
for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in
fiscal year 1998 shall remain available until expended to cover
obligations made in fiscal year 1998 for the following
accounts: the rural development loan fund program account; the
Rural Telephone Bank program account; the rural electrification
and telecommunications loans program account; and the rural
economic development loans program account.
Sec. 715. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
1998 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be
absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act.
Sec. 716. Hereafter: (a) Compliance With Buy American
Act.--None of the funds made available in this Act may be
expended by an entity unless the entity agrees that in
expending the funds the entity will comply with sections 2
through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a-10c;
popularly known as the ``Buy American Act'').
(b) Sense of Congress; Requirement Regarding Notice.--
(1) Purchase of american-made equipment and
products.--In the case of any equipment or product that
may be authorized to be purchased with financial
assistance provided using funds made available in this
Act, it is the sense of the Congress that entities
receiving the assistance should, in expending the
assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and
products.
(2) Notice to recipients of assistance.--In
providing financial assistance using funds made
available in this Act, the head of each Federal agency
shall provide to each recipient of the assistance a
notice describing the statement made in paragraph (1)
by the Congress.
(c) Prohibition of Contracts With Persons Falsely
Labeling Products as Made in America.--If it has been finally
determined by a court or Federal agency that any person
intentionally affixed a label bearing a ``Made in America''
inscription, or any inscription with the same meaning, to any
product sold in or shipped to the United States that is not
made in the United States, the person shall be ineligible to
receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made
available in this Act, pursuant to the debarment, suspension,
and ineligibility procedures described in sections 9.400
through 9.409 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations.
Sec. 717. Notwithstanding the Federal Grant and
Cooperative Agreement Act, marketing services of the
Agricultural Marketing Service and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service may use cooperative agreements to reflect a
relationship between the Agricultural Marketing Service or the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and a State or
Cooperator to carry out agricultural marketing programs or to
carry out programs to protect the Nation's animal and plant
resources.
Sec. 718. None of the funds in this Act may be used to
retire more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural
Telephone Bank or to maintain any account or subaccount within
the accounting records of the Rural Telephone Bank the creation
of which has not specifically been authorized by statute:
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, none
of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this
Act may be used to transfer to the Treasury or to the Federal
Financing Bank any unobligated balance of the Rural Telephone
Bank telephone liquidating account which is in excess of
current requirements and such balance shall receive interest as
set forth for financial accounts in section 505(c) of the
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
Sec. 719. None of the funds made available in this Act
may be used to provide assistance to, or to pay the salaries of
personnel who carry out a market promotion/market access
program pursuant to section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act
of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623) that provides assistance to the United
States Mink Export Development Council or any mink industry
trade association.
Sec. 720. Of the funds made available by this Act, not
more than $1,000,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses
of activities related to all advisory committees, panels,
commissions, and task forces of the Department of Agriculture
except for panels used to comply with negotiated rule makings
and panels used to evaluate competitively awarded grants.
Sec. 721. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries
and expenses of personnel who carry out an export enhancement
program if the aggregate amount of funds and/or commodities
under such program exceeds $150,000,000.
Sec. 722. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may
be used to carry out the provisions of section 918 of Public
Law 104-127, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act.
Sec. 723. No employee of the Department of Agriculture
may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by
this Act to any other agency or office of the Department for
more than 30 days unless the individual's employing agency or
office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office
for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of
assignment.
Sec. 724. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available to the Department of Agriculture shall be used
to transmit or otherwise make available to any non-Department
of Agriculture employee questions or responses to questions
that are a result of information requested for the
appropriations hearing process.
Sec. 725. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available in this Act may be expended or obligated to fund
the activities of the Western Director and Special Assistant to
the Secretary within the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture
or any similar position.
Sec. 726. None of the funds made available to the
Department of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire
new information technology systems or significant upgrades, as
determined by the Office of the Chief Information Officer,
without the approval of the Chief Information Officer and the
concurrence of the Executive Information Technology Investment
Review Board.
Sec. 727. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or
provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded
by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure
in fiscal year 1998, or provided from any accounts in the
Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of fees
available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be
available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming
of funds which (1) creates new programs; (2) eliminates a
program, project, or activity; (3) increases funds or personnel
by any means for any project or activity for which funds have
been denied or restricted; (4) relocates an office or
employees; (5) reorganizes offices, programs, or activities; or
(6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities
presently performed by Federal employees; unless the
Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress are
notified fifteen days in advance of such reprogramming of
funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this
Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in
fiscal year 1998, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury
of the United States derived by the collection of fees
available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be
available for obligation or expenditure for activities,
programs, or projects through a reprogramming of funds in
excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that (1)
augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2)
reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program,
project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent as
approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general savings
from a reduction in personnel which would result in a change in
existing programs, activities, or projects as approved by
Congress; unless the Appropriations Committees of both Houses
of Congress are notified fifteen days in advance of such
reprogramming of funds.
Sec. 728. Section 3(c) of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of
1974 (7 U.S.C. 2802(c)) is amended by inserting before the
period at the end the following: ``, and includes kudzu
(Pueraria lobata Dc)''.
Sec. 729. Notwithstanding section 520 of the Housing Act
of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490) the Martin Luther King area of
Pawley's Island, South Carolina, located in Georgetown County,
shall be eligible for loans and grants under section 504 of the
Housing Act of 1949.
Sec. 730. None of the funds made available to the Food
and Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to close or
relocate the Food and Drug Administration Division of Drug
Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sec. 731. Effective on October 1, 1998, section 136(a) of
the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7236(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4),
during'' and inserting ``During''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``130'' and inserting ``134'';
(2) by striking paragraph (4); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(4).
Sec. 732. Study of Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Child, senior, and low-income nutrition
programs.--The term ``child, senior, and low-income
nutrition programs'' includes--
(A) the food stamp program established
under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011
et seq.);
(B) the school lunch program established
under the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1751 et seq.);
(C) the summer food service program for
children established under section 13 of that
Act (42 U.S.C. 1761);
(D) the child and adult care food program
established under section 17 of that Act (42
U.S.C. 1766);
(E) the special milk program established
under section 3 of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772);
(F) the school breakfast program
established under section 4 of that Act (42
U.S.C. 1773);
(G) the special supplemental nutrition
program for women, infants, and children
authorized under section 17 of that Act (42
U.S.C. 1786); and
(H) the nutrition programs and projects
carried out under part C of title III of the
Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030e et
seq.).
(2) Compact.--The term ``Compact'' means the
Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact.
(3) Northeast interstate dairy compact.--The term
``Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact'' means the
Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact referred to in
section 147 of the Agricultural Market Transition Act
(7 U.S.C. 7256).
(4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(b) Evaluation.--Not later than December 31, 1997, the
Director shall conduct, complete, and transmit to Congress a
comprehensive economic evaluation of the direct and indirect
effects of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact and other
factors which affect the price of fluid milk.
(c) Components.--In conducting the evaluation, the
Director shall consider, among other factors, the effects of
implementation of the rules and regulations of the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact Commission, such as rules and
regulations relating to over-order Class I pricing and pooling
provisions. This evaluation shall consider such effects prior
to implementation of the Compact and that would have occurred
in the absence of the implementation of the Compact. The
evaluation shall include an analysis of the impacts on--
(1) child, senior, and low-income nutrition
programs including impacts on schools and institutions
participating in the programs, on program recipients,
and other factors;
(2) the wholesale and retail cost of fluid milk;
(3) the level of milk production, the number of
cows, the number of dairy farms, and milk utilization
in the Compact region, including--
(A) changes in the level of milk
production, the number of cows, and the number
of dairy farms in the Compact region relative
to trends in the level of milk production and
trends in the number of cows and dairy farms
prior to implementation of the Compact;
(B) changes in the disposition of bulk and
packaged milk for Class I, II, or III use
produced in the Compact region to areas outside
the region relative to the milk disposition to
areas outside the region;
(C) changes in--
(i) the share of milk production
for Class I use of the total milk
production in the Compact region; and
(ii) the share of milk production
for Class II and Class III use of the
total milk production in the Compact
region;
(4) dairy farmers and dairy product manufacturers
in States and regions outside the Compact region with
respect to the impact of changes in milk production,
and the impact of any changes in disposition of milk
originating in the Compact region, on national milk
supply levels and farm level milk prices nationally;
and
(5) the cost of carrying out the milk price support
program established under section 141 of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7251).
(d) Additional States and Compacts.--The Director shall
evaluate and incorporate into the evaluation required under
subsection (b) an evaluation of the economic impact of adding
additional States to the Compact for the purpose of increasing
prices paid to milk producers.
Sec. 733. From proceeds earned from the sale of grain in
the disaster reserve established in the Agricultural Act of
1970, the Secretary may use up to an additional $2,000,000 to
implement a livestock indemnity program as established in
Public Law 105-18.
Sec. 734. Planting of Wild Rice on Contract Acreage.--
None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be used to
administer the provision of contract payments to a producer
under the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7201 et
seq.) for contract acreage on which wild rice is planted unless
the contract payment is reduced by an acre for each contract
acre planted to wild rice.
Sec. 735. Rural Housing Programs. (a) Housing in
Underserved Areas Program.--The first sentence of section
509(f)(4)(A) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
1479(f)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and
inserting ``fiscal year 1998''.
(b) Housing and Related Facilities for Elderly Persons
and Families and Other Low-Income Persons and Families.--
(1) Authority to make loans.--Section 515(b)(4) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485(b)(4)) is
amended by striking ``September 30, 1997'' and
inserting ``September 30, 1998''.
(2) Set-aside for nonprofit entities.--The first
sentence of section 515(w)(1) of the Housing Act of
1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485(w)(1)) is amendedby striking
``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``fiscal year 1998''.
(3) Loan term.--Section 515 of the Housing Act of
1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``up
to fifty'' and inserting ``up to 30''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) such a loan may be made for a period of up to
30 years from the making of the loan, but the Secretary
may provide for periodic payments based on an
amortization schedule of 50 years with a final payment
of the balance due at the end of the term of the
loan;'';
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (6), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``;
and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) the Secretary may make a new loan to the
current borrower to finance the final payment of the
original loan for an additional period not to exceed
twenty years, if--
``(A) the Secretary determines--
``(i) it is more cost-efficient and
serves the tenant base more effectively
to maintain the current property than
to build a new property in the same
location; or
``(ii) the property has been
maintained to such an extent that it
warrants retention in the current
portfolio because it can be expected to
continue providing decent, safe, and
affordable rental units for the balance
of the loan; and
``(B) the Secretary determines--
``(i) current market studies show
that a need for low-income rural rental
housing still exists for that area; and
``(ii) any other criteria
established by the Secretary has been
met.''.
(c) Loan Guarantees for Multifamily Rental Housing in
Rural Areas.--Section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
1490p-2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (q), by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following:
``(2) Annual limitation on amount of loan
guarantee.--In each fiscal year, the Secretary may
enter into commitments to guarantee loans under this
section only to the extent that the costs of the
guarantees entered into in such fiscal year do not
exceed such amount as may be provided in appropriation
Acts for such fiscal year.'';
(2) by striking subsection (t) and inserting the
following:
``(t) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1998 for costs
(as such term is defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974) of loan guarantees made under this section
such sums as may be necessary for such fiscal year.''; and
(3) in subsection (u), by striking ``1996'' and
inserting ``1998''.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1998''.
And the Senate agree to the same.
Joe Skeen,
James T. Walsh,
Jay Dickey,
Jack Kingston,
George R. Nethercutt, Jr.,
Henry Bonilla,
Tom Latham,
Bob Livingston,
Marcy Kaptur,
Vic Fazio,
Jose E. Serrano,
Rosa L. DeLauro,
David R. Obey,
Managers on the Part of the House.
Thad Cochran,
Arlen Specter,
Christopher Bond,
Slade Gorton,
Mitch M. McConnell,
Conrad Burns,
Ted Stevens,
Dale Bumpers,
Tom Harkin,
Herb Kohl,
Robert Byrd,
Patrick J. Leahy,
Daniel K. Inouye,
Managers on the Part of the Senate.
JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
The managers on the part of the House and Senate at the
conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the
amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2160) making
appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes,
submit the following joint statement to the House and Senate in
explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the
managers and recommended in the accompanying conference report.
CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTIVES
The statement of the managers remains silent on
provisions that were in both the House and Senate Bills that
remain unchanged by this conference agreement, except as noted
in this statement of the managers.
The conferees agree that executive branch wishes cannot
substitute for Congress' own statements as to the best evidence
of congressional intent--that is, the official reports of the
Congress. The conferees further point out that funds in this
Act must be used for the purposes for which appropriated, as
required by section 1301 of title 31 of the United States Code,
which provides: ``Appropriations shall be applied only to the
objects for which the appropriations were made except as
otherwise provided by law.''
The House and Senate report language which is not changed
by the conference are approved by the committee of conference.
The statement of the managers, while repeating some report
language for emphasis, does not intend to negate the language
referred to above unless expressly provided herein.
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
The conference agreement adopts language as proposed by
the Senate to prohibit the use of salaries and expenses to
carry out section 793(c)(1)(C) of Public Law 104-127, a
limitation on housing assistance, and section 793(d) of Public
Law 104-127, a limitation on program levels in the Fund for
Rural America. The House bill had no similar provisions.
Executive Operations
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST
The conference agreement provides $5,048,000 for the
Office of the Chief Economist instead of $4,844,000 as proposed
by the House and $5,252,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included
in this amount is $656,000 to enhance the Department's weather
information activities.
NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION
The conference agreement provides $11,718,000 for the
National Appeals Division as proposed by the House instead of
$12,360,000 as proposed by the Senate.
OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION
The conference agreement does not include a separate
appropriation of $783,000 for the Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization as proposed by the Senate.
The funding for this office is included in the Departmental
Administration appropriation as proposed by the House.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments
The conference agreement provides $131,085,000 for
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments as
proposed by the Senate instead of $141,085,000 as proposed by
the House. Included in this amount is $5,000,000 for repairs,
renovations, and construction as proposed by the Senate instead
of $15,000,000 as proposed by the House. The conference
agreement also deletes language proposed by the Senate
expanding the use of operation and maintenance funds.
Hazardous Waste Management
The conference agreement provides $15,700,000 for
Hazardous Waste Management as proposed by the Senate instead of
$20,000,000 as proposed by the House
Departmental Administration
The conference agreement provides $27,231,000 for
Departmental Administration as proposed by the House instead of
$26,948,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included in this amount
is $783,000 for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization. The conferees direct that not less than
$15,274,000 of the total amount appropriated be used for civil
rights enforcement activities. This amount includes full
funding for the establishment of an investigative unit within
the Office of Civil Rights.
Office of the Inspector General
The conference agreement provides $63,128,000 for the
Office of the Inspector General as proposed by the House
instead of $63,728,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included in
this amount is $95,000 for confidential operational expenses as
proposed by the House instead of $125,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
Office of the General Counsel
The conference agreement provides $28,524,000 for the
Office of the General Counsel instead of $27,949,000 as
proposed by the House and $29,098,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
Economic Research Service
The conference agreement provides $71,604,000 for the
Economic Research Service as proposed by the House instead of
$53,109,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included in this amount
is $18,495,000 for studies and evaluations of food stamp, child
nutrition, and WIC programs to be coordinated with the Food and
Consumer Service and other Departmental agencies. The conferees
anticipate that minimum staff changes will be needed to carry
out these studies and direct the agency to notify the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 15 days prior to
the use of these funds for any hiring of new employees.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
The conference agreement provides $118,048,000 for the
National Agricultural Statistics Service as proposed by the
Senate instead of $116,861,000 as proposed by the House.
Included in this amount is up to $36,327,000 for the Census of
Agriculture as proposed by the Senate instead of $36,140,000 as
proposed by the House. The conference agreement also includes
bill language giving USDA the authority to conduct the 1997
Census of Agriculture.
Agricultural Research Service
The conference agreement provides $744,605,000 for the
Agricultural Research Service instead of $725,059,000 as
proposed by the House and $738,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
Amount
FY 1997 appropriation................................... $716,826,000
Transfer: Office of Chief Economist..................... (29,000)
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Adjusted FY 1997 appropriation.......................... 716,797,000
Emerging Diseases and Exotic Pests...................... $3,050,000
Vomitoxin in Wheat.................................. (500,000)
Fusarium Head Blight, MN............................ (500,000)
Karnal Bunt, KS..................................... (500,000)
Citrus Tristeza..................................... (750,000)
Ergot Disease in Sorghum............................ (300,000)
Asian Long Horn Beetle.............................. (500,000)
Food Safety............................................. 4,000.000
Apple E. Coli Research, PA.......................... (250,000)
Food Safety Agency Study............................ (420,000)
Genetic Resources....................................... 1,500,000
Grazing Lands Utilization and Conservation.............. 1,000,000
Logan, UT........................................... (250,000)
El Reno, OK......................................... (250,000)
Las Cruces, NM...................................... (250,000)
University Park, PA................................. (250,000)
Human Nutrition......................................... 7,500,000
Food Consumption Survey Infant/Children............. (5,000,000)
Little Rock, AR..................................... (1,000,000)
Houston, TX......................................... (500,000)
Beltsville, MD...................................... (250,000)
Boston, MA.......................................... (250,000)
San Francisco, CA................................... (250,000)
Florida Everglades Restoration.......................... 1,250,000
Hydrology-Canal Point, FL........................... (500,000)
Hydrologist-Dade County, FL......................... (250,000)
Melaleuca........................................... (500,000)
Integrated Pest Management and Biocontrol........... 2,500,000
Biological Control.................................. (2,000,000)
Host Plant Resistance............................... (500,000)
Appalachian Soil and Water Conservation Lab, WV......... 250,000
Arctic Germplasm Repository............................. 650,000
Coastal Wetlands & Erosion Control, LA.................. 1,000,000
Cotton Genetics, MS..................................... 250,000
Cotton Ginning, TX...................................... 500,000
Fish Disease, AL........................................ 250,000
Food Fermentation, NC................................... 250,000
Formosan Termite, Southern Regional Research Center..... 5,000,000
Grain Legume, WA........................................ 250,000
Honeybee, TX............................................ 500,000
Hops Research, OR....................................... 100,000
Lyme Disease............................................ 200,000
National Aquaculture Research Ctr., AR.................. 500,000
National Ctr. for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture., WV.. 250,000
National Warmwater Aquaculture Ctr., MS................. 500,000
Natural Products, MS.................................... 700,000
NW Nursery Crops, OR.................................... 500,000
Organics Management Research............................ 500,000
Plant Genetics Equip./Greenhouse, MO.................... 200,000
Poisonous Plant, UT..................................... 100,000
Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome, GA.................. 250,000
Reproductive Efficiency of Beef Cattle, MT.............. 250,000
Rice research:
Beaumont, TX........................................ 250,000
Stuttgart, AR....................................... 700,000
Small Fruits, MS........................................ 250,000
Small Grains, Raleigh, NC./Aberdeen, ID................. 450,000
Sugarcane Biotechnology Research, LA.................... 200,000
Termination of ongoing projects......................... -3,119,000
Evaluation studies...................................... -913,000
Administrative reductions............................... -3,760,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... 744,605,000
The conference agreement concurs in the following project
terminations: improved cropping systems ($158,400), decision
support systems ($80,000), CO; composts and organic residuals
($281,700), soybean inoculants ($171,800), populations of Fungi
($182,300), MD; differential root development ($221,100), NY;
process modeling of soil and water ($384,300), PA; transferring
technology for improvements in agriculture ($158,700), PR;
biological control of horn flies ($221,500), improved cultivars
for kenaf ($343,900), TX; and management savings ($550,000)
headquarters and ($365,200), GA.
The agreement provides $420,000 for a study by the
National Academy of Sciences on the scientific and
organizational needs for an effective food safety system,
including functions overseen by the Food Safety and Inspection
Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and other Federal,
state and local agencies with responsibilities for food safety.
The study will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will
examine thecurrent mechanisms in place for assuring a safe food
supply and the extent to which they are effective in addressing food
safety issues from the farm to the table. It will also analyze the
extent to which current functions (i.e., inspection, surveillance,
monitoring, research, risk assessment, and education) should be
assigned or reassigned to existing food safety agencies or an
independent food safety agency. It should also identify whether any
functions would be compromised by such an action. If an independent
food safety agency is recommended, the second phase will develop
further guidance to ensure that the food safety system protects the
public's health and is cost-effective. A report on the first phase
should be transmitted to the appropriate Committees of Congress no
later than August 15, 1998.
The conferees support the food safety initiative and
expect the Agricultural Research Service to work with the Food
and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention to develop a biomedical research agenda
on food safety.
The conferees expect the work on controlling root
diseases of wheat and barley in cereal-based production systems
to continue at the Pullman, WA, ARS research station at the
fiscal year 1997 level.
The conferees support the addition of a new lettuce
geneticist/plant breeder position at the U.S. Agricultural
Research Station in Salinas, California.
The USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory is
directed to initiate an integrated watershed research program
of monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating sediment production,
movement and deposition and their impacts with appropriate
solutions on stream degradation, flooding and management of
upland areas, environmental and ecological concerns in the
Yalobusha River Basin, stream estuaries, and Grenada Lake.
The conferees expect the ARS to expand its work on
Meadowfoam research in Oregon and at the Peoria laboratory.
The bill includes language proposed by the House that
returns ownership of the Pecan Genetics and Improvement
Research Laboratory to the Agricultural Research Service.
buildings and facilities
The conference agreement provides $80,630,000 for
Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities instead
of $59,000,000 as proposed by the House and $69,100,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
California:
Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis...... $5,200,000
U.S. Horticulture Crop and Water Mgt. Lab., Parlier. 23,400,000
France:
European Biological Control Lab..................... 3,400,000
Illinois:
National Center for Agriculture Utilization, Peoria. 8,000,000
Louisiana:
Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans...... 1,100,000
Maryland:
Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville............ 3,200,000
National Agricultural Library, Beltsville........... 2,500,000
Michigan:
Avian Disease Labs, East Lansing.................... 1,800,000
Mississippi:
Biocontrol and Insect Rearing Lab., Stoneville...... 900,000
National Center for Natural Products, Oxford........ 7,000,000
Montana:
Pest Quarantine and Integrated Pest Management,
Sidney............................................ 606,000
New York:
Plum Island Animal Disease Center................... 2,000,000
New Mexico:
Joranado Range Research Center, Las Cruces.......... 700,000
North Dakota:
Human Nutrition Center, Grand Forks................. 4,400,000
Pennsylvania:
Eastern Regional Lab................................ 5,000,000
South Carolina:
U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston............... 4,824,000
Utah:
Poisonous Plant Lab., Logan......................... 600,000
West Virginia:
National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture,
Leetown........................................... 6,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. 80,630,000
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
research and education activities
The conference agreement provides $431,410,000 for
research and education activities instead of $421,223,000 as
proposed by the House and $427,526,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
Research and Education Activities
[In thousands of dollars]
Conference
agreement
Payments Under Hatch Act...................................... 168,734
Cooperative forestry research (McIntire-Stennis).............. 20,497
Payments to 1890 colleges and Tuskegee........................ 27,735
Special Research Grants (P.L. 89-106):
Aegilops cylindricum (WA)................................. 346
Aflatoxin (IL)............................................ 113
Agriculture-based industrial lubricants (IA).............. 200
Agricultural diversification (HI)......................... 131
Agricultural diversity/Red River Corridor (MN/ND)......... 250
Alliance for food protection (NE, GA)..................... 300
Alternative crops (ND).................................... 550
Alternative marine and fresh water species (MS)........... 308
Alternative salmon products (AK).......................... 400
Animal science food safety consortium (AR, IA, KS)........ 1,521
Apple fire blight (NY, MI)................................ 500
Aquaculture (IL).......................................... 158
Aquaculture (LA).......................................... 330
Aquaculture (MS).......................................... 642
Aquaculture produce and marketing development (WV)........ 600
Babcock Institute (WI).................................... 312
Binational agriculture research and development........... 500
Biodiesel research (MO)................................... 152
Center for animal health and productivity (PA)............ 113
Center for innovative food technology (OH)................ 281
Center for rural studies (VT)............................. 32
Chesapeake Bay aquaculture................................ 370
Citrus decay fungus (AZ).................................. 250
Coastal cultivars (GA).................................... 250
Competitiveness of agricultural products (WA)............. 677
Cool season legume research (ID, WA)...................... 329
Cotton research (TX)...................................... 200
Cranberry/blueberry disease and breeding (NJ)............. 220
Dairy (AK)................................................ 250
Dairy and meat goat research (TX)......................... 63
Delta rural revitalization (MS)........................... 148
Drought mitigation (NE)................................... 200
Ecosystems (AL)........................................... 500
Environmental research (NY)............................... 486
Environmental risk factors/cancer (NY).................... 100
Expanded wheat pasture (OK)............................... 285
Farm and rural business finance (IL)...................... 87
Feed barley for rangeland cattle (MT)..................... 600
Floriculture (HI)......................................... 250
Food and Agriculture Policy Institute (IA, MO)............ 800
Food irradiation (IA)..................................... 200
Food marketing policy center (CT)......................... 332
Food processing center (NE)............................... 42
Food safety............................................... 2,000
Food systems research group (WI).......................... 221
Forestry (AR)............................................. 523
Fruit and vegetable market analysis (AZ, MO).............. 296
Generic commodity promotion research and evaluation (NY).. 212
Global change............................................. 1,000
Global marketing support service (AR)..................... 127
Grain sorghum (KS)........................................ 106
Grass seed cropping systems for a sustainable agriculture
(WA, OR, ID)............................................ 423
Human nutrition (IA)...................................... 473
Human nutrition (LA)...................................... 752
Human nutrition (NY)...................................... 622
Hydroponic tomato production (OH)......................... 140
Illinois-Missouri Alliance for Biotechnology.............. 1,184
Improved dairy management practices (PA).................. 296
Improved fruit practices (MI)............................. 445
Institute for Food Science and Engineering (AR)........... 950
Integrated production systems (OK)........................ 161
International arid lands consortium....................... 329
Iowa biotechnology consortium............................. 1,564
Landscaping for water quality (GA)........................ 300
Livestock and dairy policy (NY, TX)....................... 445
Lowbush blueberry research (ME)........................... 220
Maple research (VT)....................................... 100
Michigan biotechnology consortium......................... 675
Midwest advanced food manufacturing alliance.............. 423
Midwest agricultural products (IA)........................ 592
Milk safety (PA).......................................... 268
Minor use animal drugs (IR-4)............................. 550
Molluscan shellfish (OR).................................. 400
Multi-commodity research (OR)............................. 364
Multi-cropping strategies for aquaculture (HI)............ 127
National biological impact assessment..................... 254
Nematode resistance genetic engineering (NM).............. 127
Non-food uses of agricultural products (NE)............... 64
Oil resources from desert plants (NM)..................... 175
Organic waste utilization (NM)............................ 100
Pasture and forage research (UT).......................... 225
Peach tree short life (SC)................................ 162
Pest control alternatives (SC)............................ 106
Phytophthora root rot (NM)................................ 127
Plant, drought, and disease resistance gene cataloging
(NM).................................................... 150
Plant genome research (OH)................................ 50
Postharvest rice straws (CA).............................. 300
Potato research........................................... 1,214
Poultry carcass removal (AL).............................. 300
Precision agriculture (MS)................................ 600
Preharvest food safety (KS)............................... 212
Preservation and processing research (OK)................. 226
Rangeland ecosystems (NM)................................. 185
Regional barley gene mapping project...................... 348
Regionalized implications of farm programs (MO, TX)....... 294
Rice Modeling (AR)........................................ 296
Rural development centers (PA, IA, (ND), MS, OR).......... 423
Rural policies institute (NE, MO)......................... 644
Russian wheat aphid (CO).................................. 200
Seafood and aquaculture harvesting, processing, and
marketing (MS).......................................... 305
Small fruit research (OR, WA, ID)......................... 212
Southwest consortium for plant genetics and water
resources............................................... 338
Soybean cyst nematode (MO)................................ 450
STEEP III--water quality in Northwest..................... 500
Sustainable agriculture (MI).............................. 445
Sustainable agriculture and natural resources (PA)........ 94
Sustainable agriculture systems (NE)...................... 59
Sustainable pest management for dryland wheat (MT)........ 400
Swine waste management (NC)............................... 300
Tillage, silviculture, waste management (LA).............. 212
Tropical and subtropical.................................. 2,724
Urban pests (GA).......................................... 64
Vidalia onions (GA)....................................... 84
Viticulture consortium (NY, CA)........................... 800
Water conservation (KS)................................... 79
Water quality............................................. 2,461
Weed control (ND)......................................... 423
Wheat genetic research (KS)............................... 261
Wood utilization research (OR, MS, NC, MN, ME, MI)........ 3,536
Wool research (TX, MT, WY)................................ 300
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Special Research Grants.......................... 51,495
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Improved pest control:
Critical issues........................................... 200
Emerging pest and disease issues.......................... 1,623
Expert IPM decision support issues........................ 177
Integrated pest management................................ 2,731
Pesticide clearance (IR-4)................................ 8,990
Pesticide impact assessment............................... 1,327
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Improved pest control............................ 15,048
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Competitive research grants:
Plant systems............................................. 37,000
Animal systems............................................ 24,000
Nutrition, food quality and health........................ 8,000
Natural resources and the environment..................... 17,500
Processes and new products................................ 6,800
Markets, trade and policy................................. 3,900
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Competitive research grants...................... 97,200
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Animal Health and Disease (Sec. 1433)......................... 4,775
Critical Agricultural Materials Act........................... 550
Aquaculture Centers (Sec. 1475)............................... 4,000
Alternative Crops............................................. 650
Sustainable agriculture....................................... 8,000
Capacity building grants...................................... 9,200
Payments to the 1994 Institutions............................. 1,450
Graduate fellowship grants.................................... 3,000
Institution challenge grants.................................. 4,350
Multicultural scholars program................................ 1,000
Hispanic-serving institutions................................. 2,500
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund................... (4,600)
Federal Administration:
Agriculture development in American Pacific............... 564
Agriculture waste utilization (WV)........................ 360
Alternative fuels characterization laboratory (ND)........ 218
Animal waste management (OK).............................. 250
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (IA)........ 355
Center for Human Nutrition (MD)........................... 150
Center for North American Studies (TX).................... 87
Data information system................................... 800
Geographic information system............................. 844
Mariculture (NC).......................................... 150
Mississippi Valley State University....................... 583
National Education Center for Agricultural................
National Center for Peanut Competitiveness................ 150
Office of grants and program systems...................... 310
Pay costs and FERS (prior)................................ 900
Peer panels............................................... 350
PM-10 study (CA, WA)...................................... 873
Shrimp aquaculture (AZ, HI, MS, MA, SC)................... 3,354
Water quality (IL)........................................ 492
Water quality (ND)........................................ 436
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Federal Administration........................... 11,226
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Total, Research and Education Activities................ 431,410
For the geographic information system project, the
agreement provides $844,000 which includes funding for past
participating entities in Georgia, the Chesapeake Bay,
Arkansas, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and new entities
in New Mexico and Colorado.
The conferees have provided the $2,000,000 requested for
a new competitive food safety initiative. The conferees urge
that a research proposal from Pennsylvania State University's
E. Coli Reference Center be considered for funding if judged to
be meritorious when subjected to the established review
process.
Included in the funding for alternative crops is $500,000
for canola research and $150,000 for hesperaloe research.
Extension Activities
The conference agreement provides $423,376,000 for
extension activities instead of $415,110,000 as proposed by the
House and $423,322,000 as proposed by the Senate. The following
table reflects the conference agreement:
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
FY 1997 enacted agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith Lever 3(b) & 3(c)........... 268,493 268,493
Smith Lever 3(d):
Pest management............... 10,783 10,783
Water quality................. 10,733 9,061
Farm safety................... 2,855 2,855
Food and nutrition education
(EFNEP)...................... 58,695 58,695
Pesticide impact assessment... 3,214 3,214
Rural development centers..... 908 908
Sustainable agriculture....... 3,309 3,309
Food safety................... 2,365 2,365
Youth at risk................. 9,554 9,554
Indian reservation agents..... 1,672 1,672
1890's Colleges and Tuskegee...... 25,090 25,090
1890's facilities grants.......... 7,549 7,549
Renewable Resources Extension Act. 3,192 3,192
Agricultural telecommunications... 1,167 900
Rural health and safety education. 2,628 2,628
Extension services at the 1994
institutions..................... 2,000 2,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal.................... 414,207 412,268
=====================================
Federal Administration and special
grants:
Beef producers' improvement
(AR)......................... 197 197
Delta teachers academy........ 3,850 3,500
Extension specialist (AR)..... 99 99
Extension specialist (MS)..... 50 50
General administration........ 4,995 4,995
Income enhancement
demonstration (OH)........... 246 246
Integrated cow/calf resources
management (IA).............. 345 300
National Center for
Agriculture Safety (IA)...... ................. 195
Pilot tech. transfer (OK, MS). 326 326
Pilot tech. transfer (WI)..... 163 163
Range improvement (NM)........ 197 197
Rural center for the study and
promotion of HIV/STD
prevention (IN).............. 246 .................
Rural development (NE)........ 386 .................
Rural development (OM)........ 227 247
Rural development (OK)........ 296 150
Rural rehabilitation (GA)..... 246 246
Wood biomass as an alternative
farm product (NY)............ 197 197
-------------------------------------
Total, Federal
Administration............. 12,066 11,108
=====================================
Total, Extension Activities. 426,273 423,376
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The conference agreement provides $426,282,000 for the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service instead of
$424,244,000 as proposed by the House and $437,183,000 as
proposed by the Senate. Included in this amount is $1,255,000
for rabies control activities in Ohio, Texas, New York, and
other states.
The conferees are aware of the cooperative efforts of
APHIS in controlling boll weevils in New Mexico and that cotton
farmers in New Mexico are continuing a voluntary assessment for
eradication. The conferees urge APHIS to continue its
cooperative effort for boll weevil eradication in New Mexico.
Included in the total amount provided for the boll weevil
eradication plan, the conferees provide not less than $400,000
to continue the geographic information system project to
prepare for future expansion of the program into remaining
cotton production regions that have not eradicated the boll
weevil. The technology developed through this system will be
transferred to these regions as the program expands, reducing
overall program costs.
The conferees direct that APHIS continue its efforts to
maximize cost sharing of control activities in all states to
the extent possible. However, the conferees recognize that
circumstances vary among states and do not support
implementation of the rigid cost sharing requirement proposed
in the budget.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
FY 1997 enacted agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEST AND DISEASE EXCLUSION
Agricultural quarantine inspection 26,547 26,747
User fees..................... 98,000 88,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal, Agricultural
quarantine inspection...... 124,547 114,747
Cattle ticks...................... 4,537 4,627
Foot-and-mouth disease............ 3,991 3,803
Import-export inspection.......... 6,847 6,815
International programs............ 6,643 6,630
Fruit fly exclusion and detection. 21,161 20,970
Screwworm......................... 31,713 31,713
Tropical bont tick................ 452 444
-------------------------------------
Total, Pest and disease
exclusion.................. 199,891 189,749
=====================================
PLANT AND ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING
Animal health monitoring and
surveillance..................... 60,831 61,464
Animal and plant health regulatory
enforcement...................... 5,855 5,855
Pest detection.................... 4,202 6,302
-------------------------------------
Total, Plant and animal
health monitoring.......... 70,888 73,621
=====================================
PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Animal damage control--operations. 26,967 28,487
Aquaculture....................... 571 567
Biocontrol........................ 6,290 6,275
Boll weevil....................... 16,209 16,209
Brucellosis eradication........... 21,661 19,818
Golden nematode................... 444 435
Gypsy moth........................ 4,367 4,366
Imported fire ant................. 1,000 1,000
Miscellaneous plant diseases...... 1,516 1,516
Noxious weeds..................... 404 454
Pink bollworm..................... 1,069 1,048
Pseudorabies...................... 4,518 4,481
Scrapie........................... 2,967 2,931
Sweet potato whitefly............. 1,888 1,877
Tuberculosis...................... 4,948 4,920
Witchweed......................... 1,662 1,638
-------------------------------------
Total, Pest and disease
management programs........ 96,481 96,022
=====================================
ANIMAL CARE
Animal werlfare................... 9,185 9,175
Horse protection.................. 360 353
-------------------------------------
Total, Animal care.......... 9,545 9,528
=====================================
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
ADC methods development........... 10,591 10,215
Biotechnology/environmental
protection....................... 8,132 8,132
Intregrated systems acquisition
project.......................... 4,000 3,500
Plant methods development
laboratories..................... 5,048 5,048
Veterinary biologics.............. 10,360 10,345
Veterinary diagnostics............ 15,473 15,622
-------------------------------------
Total, Scientific and
technical services......... 53,604 52,862
=====================================
Contingency fund.................. 4,500 4,500
=====================================
Total, Salaries and expenses 434,909 426,282
------------------------------------------------------------------------
buildings and facilities
The conference agreement provides $4,200,000 for Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service, Buildings and Facilities
as proposed by the Senate instead of $3,200,000 as proposed by
the House.
Agricultural Marketing Service
marketing services
The conference agreement provides $46,592,000 for the
Agricultural Marketing Service instead of $45,592,000 as
proposed by the House and $49,627,000 as proposed by the
Senate. Included in this amount is $1,000,000 for marketing
assistance to Alaska.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
The conference agreement provides $23,928,000 for the
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration as
proposed by the House instead of $23,583,000 as proposed by the
Senate. Included in this amount is $800,000 for packer
concentration as proposed by the House.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
The conference agreement provides $589,263,000 for the
Food Safety and Inspection Service as proposed by the House
instead of $590,614,000 as proposed by the Senate.
The conference agreement amends House bill language
requiring that $5,000,000 shall be available for obligation
only after a final rule is implemented regarding subsection (c)
of Section 5 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034
(c)). The conference agreement states that the $5,000,000 shall
be available for obligation only after promulgation of a final
rule to implement that provision. The conferees direct that if
a final rule is not promulgated, the Department is not to take
the reduction from any funds appropriated for the Food Safety
Initiative or any inspection services. The conference agreement
does not restrict the Department from promulgating rules beyond
the scope of subsection (c) of Section 5 of the Egg Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034 (c)).
Farm Service Agency
salaries and expenses
The conference agreement provides $700,659,000 for the
Farm Service Agency as proposed by the Senate instead of
$702,203,000 as proposed by the House. The agreement also
provides transfers to the Farm Service Agency of $589,000 from
the export loan program, $815,000 from the P.L-480 program, and
$209,861,000 from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund for a
total available of $911,924,000.
The conferees expect USDA to execute its current office
streamlining in a manner that reflects differences among the
States and that uses criteria including workload, complexity,
and accessibility rather than an arbitrary process based solely
on distances between county offices.
dairy indemnity program
The conference agreement provides $550,000 for the Dairy
Indemnity program as proposed by the Senate instead of $350,000
as proposed by the House.
agricultural credit insurance fund program account
The conference agreement provides a total subsidy level
of $102,419,000 providing for an estimated loan level of
$2,940,653,000 for the activities under the Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1997
enacted Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agricultural Credit Insurance
Fund Program Account:
Loan authorization:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct................ (50,000,000) (60,000,000)
Guaranteed............ (550,000,000) (400,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ (600,000,000) (460,000,000)
=====================================
Farm operating loans:
Direct................ (495,071,000) (495,000,000)
Guaranteed
unsubsidized......... (1,700,000,000) (1,700,000,000)
Guaranteed subsidized. (200,000,000) (200,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ (2,395,071,000) (2,395,000,000)
=====================================
Indian tribe land
acquisition loans........ (1,000,000) (1,000,000)
Emergency disaster loans.. (25,000,000) (25,000,000)
Boll weevil eradication
loans.................... (34,653,000) (34,653,000)
Credit sales of acquired
property................. (25,000,000) (25,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan
authorization.......... (3,080,724,000) (2,940,653,000)
=====================================
Loan subsidies:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct................ 5,920,000 5,940,000
Guaranteed............ 22,055,000 15,440,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ 27,975,000 21,380,000
=====================================
Farm operating loans:
Direct................ 65,450,000 32,224,000
Guaranteed
unsubsidized......... 19,210,000 19,890,000
Guaranteed subsidized. 18,480,000 19,280,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ 103,140,000 71,394,000
=====================================
Indian tribe land
acquisition.............. 54,000 132,000
Emergency disaster loans.. 6,365,000 6,008,000
Boll weevil loans subsidy. 499,000 250,000
Credit sales of acquired
property................. 2,530,000 3,255,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies... 140,563,000 102,419,000
=====================================
ACIF expenses:
Salaries and expense
(transfer to FSA)........ 208,446,000 209,861,000
Administrative expenses... 12,600,000 10,000,000
-------------------------------------
Total, ACIF expenses.... 221,046,000 219,861,000
=====================================
Total, Agricultural Credit
Insurance Fund............. 361,609,000 322,280,000
(Loan authorization)...... (3,080,724,000) (2,940,653,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk Management Agency
The conference agreement provides $252,571,000 for the
Risk Management Agency instead of $253,571,000 as proposed by
the House and $266,571,000 as proposed by the Senate. The
agreement includes $64,000,000 for administrative and operating
expenses of the agency and $188,571,000 for the payment of
administrative and operating expenses of approved insurance
providers.
The conferees note the difficulty in providing funds for
the sales commissions for crop insurance agents. This problem
will continue without a change in permanent law. The conferees
expect the Department to submit legislation to effect a change
to permanent funding for this activity.
TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
conservation operations
The conference agreement continues funding conservation
operations, watershed surveys and planning, and watershed and
flood prevention operations as three separate accounts as
proposed by the House. The Senate proposed to fund watershed
surveys and planning and technical assistance of watershed and
flood prevention operations under the conservation operations
account and had a separate account for watershed and flood
prevention operations financial assistance.
The conference agreement provides $633,231,000 for
conservation operations. Included in this amount are the
following: $350,000 for the Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil
and Erosion Sediment Control; a total of $3,000,000 for
technical assistance in Franklin County, Mississippi;
$15,000,000 for the grazing lands initiative; $100,000 for the
Trees Forever program in Iowa; and $750,000 for the Deer Creek
watershed in Oklahoma. The conferees also provide $300,000,
through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, for the
project to assist farmers surrounding Lake Otisco in central
New York. The conferees do not provide funding under this
account for poultry waste energy recovery.
The conference agreement includes language proposed by
the House to transfer ownership of the plant materials center
located at Bow, Washington to the Skagit Conservation District.
The Senate bill had no similar provision.
The conferees encourage the Department to continue the
cooperative agreements it has established with private
conservation organizations to support the implementation of the
Wetlands Reserve Program.
watershed surveys and planning
The conference agreement provides $11,190,000 for
watershed surveys and planning instead of $10,000,000 as
proposed by the House. The Senate proposed funding for this
account under Conservation Operations.
watershed and flood prevention operations
The conference agreement provides $101,036,000 for
watershed and flood prevention operations as proposed by the
House. The Senate proposed funding for this account under
Conservation Operations. The conference agreement includes
language as proposed by the Senate to provide that up to
$15,000,000 of the total may be available for P.L. 534
projects. The conference agreement also includes language as
proposed by the House limiting the amount available for
technical assistance to not more than $50,000,000.
While conferees do not earmark $1,800,000 for the Potomac
Headwaters project as proposed by the Senate, they support
continuation of the project. The conferees note the importance
of reducing poultry and other waste load-related problems in
the South Branch of the Potomac River and encourage the
Department to work with the West Virginia Department of
Agriculture for further development of the poultry waste energy
recovery (POWER) project at Moorefield and project
implementation at Franklin.
resource conservation and development
The conference agreement provides $34,377,000 for the
Resource Conservation and Development program instead of
$29,377,000 as proposed by the House and $44,700,000 as
proposed by the Senate. The conferees do not specifically
earmark this increase for any initiative, instead the conferees
expect that this increase will be used for approved RC&D
councils waiting for funding.
The conferees expect the NRCS to submit a detailed
operating plan for the Resource Conservation and Development
program for fiscal year 1998 to the House and Senate Committees
on Appropriations no later than 30 days after enactment of this
Appropriations Act. This operating plan should include a
proposal for expenditure of available funds for each RC&D area.
The operating plan should compare proposed funding levels to
the initial fiscal year 1998 budget request and fiscal year
1997 current operating levels, and should include narrative
explanations as appropriate. The conferees expect the NRCS to
consult with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to
develop this operating plan, which will serve as the basis for
reprogramming notifications throughout the remainder of the
fiscal year.
outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
The conference agreement provides $3,000,000 for the
Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
Program instead of $2,000,000 as proposed by the House and
$4,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conferees note that,
in addition to the funding received through appropriations
bills, the program has also received $4,500,000 from the Fund
for Rural America.
TITLE III--RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
The conference agreement provides $652,197,000 for the
Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP) instead of
$644,259,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House bill did not
provide funds for the Rural Community Advancement Program, but
provided funding for its activities under three separate
accounts: the Rural Housing Assistance Program, the Rural
Business-Cooperative Assistance Program and the Rural Utilities
Assistance Program.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
RCAP ACCOUNTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request House Senate Proposed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water/Sewer............................. $608,080,000 $577,242,000 $568,304,000 $577,242,000
Community/Housing....................... 30,037,000 86,488,000 27,562,000 27,062,000
Bus-Co-op............................... 50,453,000 51,400,000 48,393,000 47,893,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. 688,570,000 715,130,000 644,259,000 652,197,000
=======================================================================
Earmarks:
Colonias............................ 25,000,000 18,700,000 24,500,000 20,000,000
Tech. Asst. (water&sewer)........... 15,000,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 15,000,000
Alaska.............................. ................ 8,750,000 15,000,000 15,000,000
Circuit Rider....................... 5,150,000 5,200,000 5,650,000 5,200,000
EZ/EC............................... 32,163,000 20,048,000 32,163,000 20,048,000
Tech. Asst. (transportation)........ ................ 500,000 ................ 500,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. 77,313,000 67,698,000 92,313,000 75,748,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The conferees recognize the continuing problem of out
migration in rural counties across the country and the efforts
being made through the Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP)
pilot program. The conferees recommend that Rural Development,
as the lead agency for this pilot program, give priority
assistance to the REAP zones.
The conferees urge the Department to consider the
following projects which were not mentioned in the House and
Senate reports. The conferees expect the Department to apply
the same criteria of review to these projects as are used for
other applications.
Under Rural Business Enterprise Grants:
Rural Development and Finance Corporation,
Raymondville, Texas.
Renewable Resources Research Institute, Midwestern
states.
University of Colorado Health Science Center
Under Rural Utilities Programs:
City of Fort Morgan, Colorado.
City of Taos, New Mexico.
Rural Housing Service
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The conference agreement provides a total subsidy level
of $226,142,000 (providing for an estimated loan program level
of $4,219,527,000) for the activities under the Rural Housing
Insurance Fund Program Account instead of $219,642,000
(providing for an estimated program level of $4,169,527,000) as
proposed by the House and $224,544,000 (providing for an
estimated program level of $3,519,532,000) as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table reflects the conference agreement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1997
enacted Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Housing Insurance Fund
Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family (sec. 502).. (1,000,000,000) (1,000,000,000)
Unsubsidized
guaranteed........... (2,300,000,000) (3,000,000,000)
Housing repair (sec. 504). (35,000,000) (30,000,000)
Farm labor (sec. 514)..... (15,000,000) (15,000,000)
Rental housing (sec. 515). (58,654,000) (128,640,000)
Multi-family housing
guarantees (sec. 538).... ................. (19,700,000)
Site loans (sec. 524)..... (600,000) (600,000)
Self-help housing land
development fund......... (600,000) (587,000)
Credit sales of acquired
property................. (50,000,000) (25,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan
authorizations......... (3,459,854,000) (4,219,527,000)
=====================================
Loan subsidies:
Single family (sec. 502).. 83,000,000 128,100,000
Unsubsidized
guaranteed........... 6,210,000 6,900,000
Housing repair (sec. 504). 11,081,000 10,300,000
Farm labor (sec. 514)..... 6,885,000 7,388,000
Rental housing (sec. 515). 28,987,000 68,745,000
Multi-family housing
guarantees (sec. 538).... ................. 1,200,000
Self-help housing land
development fund......... 17,000 17,000
Credit sales of acquired
property................. 4,050,000 3,492,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies... 140,230,000 226,142,000
=====================================
RHIF administrative expenses
(transfer to RHS)............ 366,205,000 354,785,000
=====================================
Total, Rural Housing
Insurance Fund............. 506,435,000 580,927,000
(Loan authorization)...... (3,459,854,000) (4,219,527,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The conference agreement provides $541,397,000 for rental
assistance as proposed by the Senate instead of $493,870,000 as
proposed by the House.
RURAL COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION GRANTS
The conference agreement provides $2,000,000 for rural
community fire protection grants as proposed by the House
instead of $1,285,000 as proposed by the Senate.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
The conference agreement provides $45,720,000 for rural
housing assistance grants as proposed by the Senate. The House
bill funded these activities under the Rural Housing Assistance
Program.
Rural Business--Cooperative Service
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The conference agreement appropriates a subsidy level of
$16,888,000 (providing an estimated loan program level of
$35,000,000) for the Rural Development Loan Fund Program
Account as proposed by the House instead of $19,200,000
(providing an estimated loan program level of $40,000,000) as
proposed by the Senate.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The conference agreement rescinds $5,978,000 of funds
derived from interest on cushion of credit payments established
in the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901), and further
provides $5,978,000 for the cost of loans for the Rural
Economic Development Loans Program Account. This subsidy level
provides for an estimated program level of $25,000,000.
ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION REVOLVING FUND
The conference agreement appropriates $7,000,000 for the
Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization
Corporation Revolving Fund instead of $10,000,000 as proposed
by the Senate. The House bill provided no funds for this
account. The House report proposed that the program operate
with repayments to its revolving fund.
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The conference agreement appropriates $3,000,000 for
rural cooperative development grants as proposed by both House
and Senate and provides for an earmark of up to $1,300,000 for
cooperative agreements for the Appropriate Technology Transfer
for Rural Areas Program as proposed by the House instead of up
to $1,500,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Rural Utilities Service
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The conference agreement provides a total subsidy of
$36,185,000 (providing for an estimated loan program level of
$1,420,000,000) instead of $32,161,000 (providing for an
estimated loan program level of $1,320,000,000) as proposed by
the House and $35,313,000 (providing for an estimated loan
program level of $1,397,756,000) as proposed by the Senate.
The following reflects the conference agreement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1997
enacted Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Electrification and
Telecommunications Loans Program
Account:
Loan authorizations:
Direct loans:
Electric 5%........... (125,000,000) (125,000,000)
Telecommunications 5%. (75,000,000) (75,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ (200,000,000) (200,000,000)
Treasury rates:
Telecommunications....... (300,000,000) (300,000,000)
Muni-rate: Electric....... (525,000,000) (500,000,000)
FFB loans:
Electric, regular..... (300,000,000) (300,000,000)
Telecommunications.... (120,000,000) (120,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ (420,000,000) (420,000,000)
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan
authorizations......... (1,445,000,000) (1,420,000,000)
=====================================
Loan subsidies:
Direct loans:
Electric 5%........... 3,625,000 9,325,000
Telecommunications 5%. 1,193,000 2,940,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal............ 4,818,000 12,265,000
=====================================
Treasury rates:
Telecommunications....... 60,000 60,000
Muni-rate: Electric....... 28,245,000 21,100,000
FFB loans: Electric,
regular.................. 2,790,000 2,760,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies... 35,913,000 36,185,000
RETLP administrative expenses
(transfer to RUS)............ 29,982,000 29,982,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Rural Electrification
and Telecommunications
Loans Program Account...... 65,895,000 66,167,000
=====================================
(Loan authorization).... (1,445,000,000) (1,420,000,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The conference agreement provides that administrative
expenses of the Rural Telephone Program Bank Account shall be
transferred to and merged with ``Rural Utilities Salaries and
Expenses'' as proposed by the House. The Senate bill had no
similar provision.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND MEDICAL LINK GRANTS AND LOANS PROGRAM
The conference agreement appropriates $12,530,000 for the
distance learning medical link grants and loans program instead
of $15,030,000 as proposed by the House and $12,030,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
The conference agreement provides $30,000 from the total
amount appropriated for the subsidy cost of distance learning
and medical link loan guarantees (providing an estimated
program level of $150,000,000) as proposed by both the House
and Senate.
The conferees urge the Department to consider the State
University of New York Telecommunications Center for Education
project which was not mentioned in the House and Senate
reports. The conferees expect the Department to apply the same
criteria of review to this project as are used for other
applications.
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
The conference agreement provides a total of
$7,767,816,000 for Child Nutrition Programs instead of
$7,766,966,000 as proposed by the House and $7,769,066,000 as
proposed by the Senate. Included in this amount is an
appropriated amount of $2,616,425,000 and an amount transferred
from section 32 of $5,151,391,000. The conference agreement
provides for the Child Nutrition Programs at the following
annual rates:
TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
House Senate agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Child Nutrition Programs:
School Lunch Program............................... $4,327,804 $4,327,804 $4,327,804
School Breakfast Program........................... 1,265,507 1,265,507 1,265,507
Child and adult care food program.................. 1,411,590 1,411,590 1,411,590
Commodity procurement/computer support............. 337,194 337,194 337,194
Summer food service program........................ 277,292 277,292 277,292
State administrative expenses...................... 112,808 112,808 112,808
Special milk program............................... 19,747 19,747 19,747
School meals initiative............................ 5,900 10,000 8,000
Coordinated review system.......................... 4,124 4,124 4,124
Nutrition studies and surveys...................... ................. 3,000 .................
Nutrition education and training................... 5,000 ................. 3,750
--------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................ 7,766,966 7,769,066 7,767,816
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The conference agreement provides $8,000,000 for the
school meals initiative. Included in this amount is $4,000,000
for food service training grants to states, $1,000,000 for
technical assistance materials, $500,000 for the National Food
Service Management Institute cooperative agreement for food
service, $400,000 for print and electronic resource systems,
and not more than $2,100,000 for other activities.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN
(WIC)
The conference agreement provides $3,924,000,000 for the
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) as proposed by the House instead of
$3,927,600,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference
agreement includes language as proposed by the Senate to
prohibit funds to be used for administrative expenses of WIC
clinics except those that have an announced policy of
prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the
program.
The Secretary of Agriculture has proclaimed a WIC
National Breastfeeding Week in an effort to promote
breastfeeding among both WIC and non-WIC mothers. The
breastfeeding promotion project will be implemented initially
in 10 pilot WIC state agencies to encourage breastfeeding using
a variety of advertising methods such as radio, television, and
billboards. The conferees support this initiative and urge all
states to participate in this promotional effort.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
The conference agreement provides $25,140,479,000 for the
Food Stamp Program as proposed by the House instead of
$26,051,479,000 as proposed by the Senate. Included in this
amount is a contingency reserve of $100,000,000 as proposed by
the House instead of $1,000,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Also included in this amount is $1,204,000,000 for nutrition
assistance for Puerto Rico and $100,000,000 for TEFAP commodity
purchases.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The conference agreement provides $141,000,000 for the
Commodity Assistance Program as proposed by the House instead
of $148,600,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference
agreement includes language as proposed by the House to provide
funds from this account for administrative expenses only to the
Emergency Food Assistance Program.
FOOD DONATIONS PROGAMS FOR SELECTED GROUPS
The conference agreement provides $141,165,000 for the
Food Donations Programs for Selected Groups as proposed by the
Senate instead of $146,165,000 as proposed by the House.
Included in this amount is $140,000,000 for the Elderly Feeding
Program as proposed by the Senate instead of $145,000,000 as
proposed by the House.
FOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The conference agreement provides $107,619,000 for Food
Program Administration instead of $104,128,000 as proposed by
the House and $107,719,000 as proposed by the Senate. The
conference agreement also provides $554,000 for the Office of
the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services.
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager
The conference agreement provides $135,561,000 for the
Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager as
proposed by the House instead of $136,664,000 as proposed by
the Senate.
In the total amount provided, the conference agreement
includes a direct appropriation of $131,295,000 as proposed by
the House instead of $132,367,000 as proposed by the Senate, a
transfer from Public Law 480 of $1,035,000 as proposed by the
House instead of $1,066,000 as proposed by the Senate and a
transfer of $3,231,000 from the Export Loan Program as proposed
by both House and Senate.
The conference agreement deletes Senate bill language
providing that up to $3,000,000 shall be available in fiscal
year 1999 for overseas inflation. The conferees direct the
Department to develop a plan for establishing an account to
manage currency fluctuation.
The conference agreement provides $3,000,000 of the total
amount appropriated for the Cochran Fellowship Program as
provided by the Senate.
The conference agreement deletes Senate report language
providing $500,000 for market barrier access identification and
adopts House report language recommending that the Foreign
Agricultural Service not spend appropriated funds for market
barrier access identification.
public law 480 program and grant accounts
The following table reflects the conference agreement for
Public Law 480 Program Accounts:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
FY 1997 enacted agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Law 480 Program Account:
Title I--Credit sales:
Program level............. (240,805,000) (244,508,000)
Direct loans.......... (226,900,000) (226,900,000)
Ocean freight
differential......... 13,905,000 17,608,000
Title II--Commodities for
disposition abroad:
Program level............. (837,000,000) (837,000,000)
Appropriation............. 837,000,000 837,000,000
Title III--Commodity grants:
Program level............. (29,500,000) (30,000,000)
Appropriation............. 29,500,000 30,000,000
Loan subsidies................ 185,589,000 176,596,000
Salaries and expenses:
General Sales Manager
(transfer to FAS)........ 1,035,000 1,035,000
Farm Service Agency
(transfer to FSA)........ 745,000 815,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal................ 1,780,000 1,850,000
=====================================
Total, Public Law 480:
Program level............. (1,107,305,000) (1,111,508,000)
Appropriation............. 1,067,774,000 1,063,054,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The conferees support the use of Title II funds in fiscal
year 1998 to continue the fiscal year 1997 level for the orphan
feeding program in Haiti.
The conferees direct that none of the funds appropriated
in this Act be made available to provide assistance to the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea except for assistance
that is provided directly to needy people by the United Nations
World Food Programme or private voluntary organizations
registered with the United States Agency for International
Development and not by the Government of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The conference agreement includes a direct appropriation
of $857,501,000 for salaries and expenses, instead of
$852,501,000 as proposed by the House and $873,057,000 as
proposed by the Senate. Also included is $91,204,000 in
prescription drug user fees as proposed by the Senate.
Included within the amount available is $34,000,000 for
the children's tobacco prevention initiative and $24,000,000
for the food safety initiative. The FDA should consider the use
of the National Sea Grant College Program to assist in
conjunction with its seafood safety activities.
The conferees have not included a detailed table in this
statement of managers. Instead, the conferees expect the FDA to
submit a detailed operating plan for fiscal year 1998 to the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than 30
days after enactment of this Appropriations Act. This operating
plan should include a proposal for expenditure of available
funds by Center, related field activities, and other activities
at a level of detail at least as great as that included in the
Senate report. The operating plan should compare proposed
funding levels to the initial fiscal year 1998 budget request
and fiscal year 1997 current operating levels, and should
include narrative explanations as appropriate. The conferees
expect the FDA to consult with the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees to develop this operating plan, which
will serve as the basis for reprogramming notifications
throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
The agreement includes $200,000 for a cooperative
agreement with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Commission
to continue research, safety rules, regulations, and education
activities.
The conference agreement includes an increase for the
Office of Generic Drugs.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
The conference agreement provides $21,350,000 for Food
and Drug Administration, Buildings and Facilities as proposed
by the House instead of $22,900,000 as proposed by the Senate.
The agreement provides the budget request for the National
Center for Toxicological Research.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The conference agreement provides $58,101,000 for the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission instead of $57,101,000 as
proposed by the House and $60,101,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
House and Senate Section 705.--The conference agreement
includes language proposed by the House to allow the Food
Safety and Inspection Service, field automation and information
management project funds to remain available until expended.
The Senate proposed to prohibit these funds from remaining
available until expended.
House Section 716.--The conference agreement includes and
amends language proposed by the House to make permanent
compliance with the Buy American Act. The Senate bill had no
similar provision.
Senate Section 720.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 722) proposed by the Senate to prohibit the
use of funds from this Act to carry out the provisions of
section 918 of Public Law 104-127, the establishment of a
permanent advisory panel known as the Safe Meat and Poultry
Inspection Panel. The House bill had no similar provision.
House Section 721 and Senate Section 722.--The conference
agreement includes language (Section 721) to limit funding for
the Export Enhancement Program to $150,000,000 as proposed by
the Senate instead of $205,000,000 as proposed by the House.
House Section 723.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 724) proposed by the House to prohibit USDA
from transmitting or otherwise making available to any non-
Department employee questions or responses to questions that
are the result of information requested for the appropriations
hearing process. The Senate bill had no similar provision.
House Section 724.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 725) proposed by the House to prohibit the
use of funds in this Act for the Western Director and
SpecialAssistant to the Secretary within the Office of the Secretary.
The Senate bill had no similar provision.
House Section 726.--The conference agreement does not
include language proposed by the House to reduce the National
Agricultural Statistics Service budget by $1,500,000 and add it
to Departmental Administration for civil rights enforcement.
The Senate bill had no similar provision.
House Section 727.--The conference agreement does not
include language proposed by the House to prohibit funds from
being used to provide assistance to North Korea except for
assistance provided directly to needy people by the United
Nations Food Programme or private voluntary organizations
registered with the United States Agency for International
Development. The Senate bill had no similar provision.
House Section 728.--The conference agreement does not
include language proposed by the House relating to the City of
Galt, California. The Senate bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 724.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 728) proposed by the Senate to amend section
3(c) of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 to include kudzu.
The House bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 725.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 729) proposed by the Senate to make the
Martin Luther King area of Pawley's Island, South Carolina
eligible for loans and grants under section 504 of the Housing
Act of 1949. The House bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 726.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 730) proposed by the Senate to prohibit the
Food and Drug Administration from closing or relocating the FDA
Division of Drug Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri. The
conference agreement does not include language proposed by the
Senate to prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from
proceeding with a plan to close or consolidate the laboratory
in Baltimore, Maryland. The House bill had no similar
provision.
Senate Section 727.--The conference agreement does not
include language proposed by the Senate to require the
Secretary of Agriculture to submit a plan for reducing the
employee level in the Rural Development mission area below the
level described in the budget to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations. The House bill had no similar
provision.
Senate Section 728.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 731) proposed by the Senate to modify the
conditions for issuance of cotton user marketing certificates.
The House bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 729.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 732) proposed by the Senate that requires the
Office of Management and Budget to conduct a comprehensive
economic evaluation of the direct and indirect effects of the
Northeast Dairy Compact. The House bill had no similar
provision.
Senate Section 730.--The conference agreement includes
and amends language (Section 733) proposed by the Senate to
allow the Secretary of Agriculture to use up to $2,000,000 from
proceeds earned from the sale of grain in the disaster reserve
to implement a livestock indemnity program. The House bill had
no similar provision.
Senate Section 731.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 734) proposed by the Senate to prohibit
contract payments to a producer who plants wild rice on
contract acreage unless the contract payment is reduced by an
acre for each contract acre planted to wild rice. The House
bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 732.--The conference agreement does not
include language proposed by the Senate to prohibit the
inspection or certification of agricultural products unless the
Secretary of Agriculture inspects and certifies the processing
equipment and imposes a fee for the inspection and
certification. The House bill had no similar provision.
Senate Section 733.--The conference agreement includes
language (Section 735) proposed by the Senate to change the
term for Section 515 multi-family rural housing loans from 50
years to 30 years and allow the Secretary of Agriculture to
structure loan repayments based on a 50-year amortization
schedule. The conference agreement also extends the
authorizations for the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Program
and the Section 538 Multi-Family Guarantee Program for one
year. The House bill contained no similar provision.
New Section 727.--The conferees have included language
that provides for reprogramming procedures for agencies funded
by this bill. The conferees are concerned about the lack of
formal reprogramming procedures for agencies funded by this
bill. Recent testimony before the Committees on Appropriations
has indicated many instances of funds being used for purposes
other than intended by Congress. Accordingly, the conferees
have instituted a formal process and expect all agencies to
implement the procedures immediately.
Conference Total--With Comparisons
The total new budget (obligational) authority for the
fiscal year 1998 recommended by the Committee of Conference,
with comparisons to the fiscal year 1997 amount, the 1998
budget estimates, and the House and Senate bills for 1998
follow:
New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 1997... $53,889,489,000
Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal
year 1998........................................... 52,302,190,000
House bill, fiscal year 1998............................ 49,603,627,000
Senate bill, fiscal year 1998........................... 50,713,787,000
Conference agreement, fiscal year 1998.................. 49,749,679,000
Conference agreement compared with:
New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year
1997.............................................. -4,139,810,000
Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority,
fiscal year 1998.................................. -2,552,511,000
House bill, fiscal year 1998........................ +146,052,000
Senate bill, fiscal year 1998....................... -964,108,000
Joe Skeen,
James T. Walsh,
Jay Dickey,
Jack Kingston,
George R. Nethercutt, Jr.,
Henry Bonilla,
Tom Latham,
Bob Livingston,
Marcy Kaptur,
Vic Fazio,
Jose E. Serrano,
Rosa L. DeLauro,
David R. Obey,
Managers on the Part of the House.
Thad Cochran,
Arlen Specter,
Christopher Bond,
Slade Gorton,
Mitch M. McConnell,
Conrad Burns,
Ted Stevens,
Dale Bumpers,
Tom Harkin,
Herb Kohl,
Robert C. Byrd,
Patrick J. Leahy,
Daniel K. Inouye,
Managers on the Part of the Senate.